VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Volunteer Activities

Volunteers can participate in a variety of activities during their 4 hour shift.

Crime reduction and prevention activities include but are not limited to:

 

  • SPEED WATCH – An ICBC sponsored educational program aimed at reducing incidents of speeding.  Volunteers help provide awareness to drivers who are speeding and collect valuable data for the RCMP and ICBC on areas where speeding is a significant problem. Volunteers are trained to use radar, electronic speed boards and in the practice of data collection and report writing.
  • CRIME WATCH – Volunteers patrol designated ‘hot spots’ or requested areas in the City of Nanaimo Community Policing Volunteer Van to provide a visual deterrence to crime as well as operating as extra ‘eyes and ears’ for the community and the RCMP.  They report all suspicious, criminal and nuisance behaviour they observe.  In addition to the primary activity of ‘patrolling’, volunteers will also undertake prevention activities relating to the awareness and prevention of crime and community safety issues by conducting Parking Lot Audits, which focuses patrols in parking lots, and Stolen Auto Recovery, which allows volunteers access to a database where they can look up license plates to identify if suspected vehicles have been stolen.
  • 529 GARAGE BIKE REGISTRATION STATIONS – Nanaimo hosts a local 529 Garage database which is also connected to a global platform. 529 Garage helps to prevent bike theft by registering bikes on the local database, providing shields as a deterrent and identifying stolen bikes and reuniting them with the bike’s owner.  Any unclaimed bikes that are at the Nanaimo RCMP for over 90 days are donated to Bikes for Kids which is a non profit organization that refurbishes bikes and donates them to kids in the Nanaimo area.  Volunteers conduct pop up registrations at various spots in the community and the Community Policing Coordinator partners with Bike Shops to encourage the registration of every new bike sold.
  • SAFETY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS – Volunteers supports a variety of educational campaigns delivered by the City of Nanaimo, ICBC, and the RCMP by engaging the community on topics like distracted driving, seat belt awareness, impaired driving, pedestrian safety and bike safety. Depending on identified community priorities, volunteers may work in high schools by delivering sessions that engage youth on topics around safety, mental health and substance use or work to educate seniors on current scams or develop campaigns on Elder Abuse.  Volunteers with appropriate training can assist agencies and businesses on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles.
  • COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES  Volunteers support neighbourhood initiatives that help build positive connections and relationships through community development projects.  Volunteers also participate in fun community events which allows for the facilitation of positive relationship building.  Some events include, bike rodeos, VIEX, youth camps, conventions, camp days, etc.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Volunteer Position Description – Nanaimo RCMP Community Policing Volunteer

Purpose: Volunteers work under the direction of the Community Policing Coordinator to assist with the delivery of crime prevention and community safety initiatives in the City of Nanaimo.  Initiatives and activities may include speed monitoring, distracted driving surveys, auto crime prevention, patrolling, community development projects, various community events, and 529 Garage bike registration stations.

Responsibilities:

  • Learn and promote safety and crime prevention information to the general public
  • Adhere to strict safety standards while conducting activities, participate in additional and ongoing specialized training as required
  • Attend program meetings and training as required and in addition to regular shift commitment

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Commit to a minimum of one year of voluntary service, providing a minimum of 4 hours per month, and be able to attend all required training sessions and meetings
  • Be 19 years or older at the time of application, volunteers 16 years of age or older may be accepted with parent/guardian approval
  • Obtain a police records check from the RCMP
  • Produce and maintain a criminal offence free police records check
  • Must not be under investigation by any law enforcement agency
  • Be able to learn and adhere to strict safety standards
  • Ability to write and communicate in the English language
  • A Drivers License is strongly recommended however not required

Orientation and training:

  • Volunteers will be provided with an orientation to the RCMP and to all relevant policy and legislation, including information on harassment, ethics and organizational standards. In addition, they will be given administrative and operational training with respect to volunteer activities by experienced volunteer trainers and the program coordinator.

Time commitment:

  • 4-8 hours per month. Shifts are scheduled 7 days a week, with morning, afternoon or evening shifts available
  • 1 year commitment, with an option to renew, upon agreement by yourself and the Community Policing Coordinator

Benefits:

  • Work in partnership with police, staff, and volunteers, assisting in crime prevention initiatives with the goal of making the community safer
  • Learn about the RCMP, Community Policing, and crime prevention techniques
  • Meet new people from your community with similar interests and belong to a community minded team
  • Learn team building and leadership skills
  • Skill development

 

 

TO APPLY

The Application form for volunteering can be downloaded below or picked up at the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment located at 303 Prideaux Street.

Interested applicants are also requested to submit a current resume with a cover letter outlining why you would like to volunteer with the Nanaimo RCMP Community Policing Program.  All applicants will need to complete a Police Information check and can be obtained at the front counter of the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.  Application packages are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please ensure you meet all the qualifications listed before submitting an application. Comprehensive training is given to all new volunteers before they are qualified to perform designated duties.

Download the application here

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact the Community Policing Coordinator:

303 Prideaux Street
Nanaimo, BC V9R 2N3
Office: 250 – 755 – 4531