Fort St. John RCMP officers promote Indigenous policing amid northern recruitment initiative

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Members of Fort St. John’s RCMP detachment travelled south this month in support of a critical recruitment program.

Constable Caitlyn Rissanen and Constable Chad Neustaeter, both members of the Indigenous Policing Service Program (IPS), attended a pair of Western Hockey League contests involving the Prince George Cougars from January 23rd to 25th, according to a press release.

Other IPS officers from across northern B.C., including Prince Rupert, Burns Lake and Chetwynd, were also in attendance, representing B.C.’s E division and promoting job opportunities available with the RCMP through its newly launched Northern Recruitment Initiative.

Neustaeter and Rissanen were there to showcase employment opportunities with an emphasis on First Nations recruitment, with the release saying it shows “commitment to building a more inclusive and representative police service among the B.C. First Nations.”

A recruitment table was set up, and both officers also went on the ice in between periods to throw out collectible sasquatch stuffies with the IPS logo to fans.

“The RCMP has over 150 different career specializations which people usually don’t know about,” said Neustaeter. “The RCMP offers everything from frontline policing to explosive disposal, from the ‘K9’ unit to cyber crimes; it just depends on your passions and abilities as you move through your career.

“This was a great opportunity to speak to people of various ages, to hear their stories, answer employment questions and build positive relationships.”

For more information on RCMP careers or recruitment, visit the Northern Recruitment Initiative or RCMP career websites.