Ottawa - February 23, 2009 - Thirteen youth from across Canada are in Ottawa to participate in Encounters with Canada's "RCMP Theme Week" from February 22-28. Participants spend the entire week with RCMP members representing different areas of the country to learn about the RCMP, its programs and its proud Canadian history.
"The RCMP has been involved with Encounters in Canada for 14 years," says Inspector Rick Shaw, Officer in Charge of the RCMP National Crime Prevention Services. "This experience allows the youth and the RCMP to gain valuable insight into youth involvement in crime as either victims or offenders, and how youth can play a key role in crime prevention."
Participants will also meet with senior RCMP officers on February 26th to ask them questions about the RCMP and their roles within Canada's national police force.
Six RCMP officers and teachers from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Yukon are accompanying the participants as chaperones and guides for the week. Along with providing the RCMP accompaniment, the RCMP sponsors the 13 youth to attend the event. Participants are selected by RCMP Divisions.
"Investing in youth and providing them with positive experiences with police officers helps them make good decisions in life and in turn, helps them influence other youths in their communities to do the same," adds Inspector Shaw.
deal.org - the RCMP's by youth for youth web-based initiative - coordinates the RCMP's participation in Encounters with Canada. The deal.org website provides Canadian youth with the tools they need to make healthy life choices and to overcome challenges in their lives and communities. Visit www.deal.org for more information.
Youth has been an RCMP strategic priority since 1999. The RCMP has developed a number of proactive measures to support young people in becoming mature, law-abiding citizens and to keep them from committing crimes or becoming victims of crime. The deal.org program and the RCMP's Participation in Encounters with Canada are just two of these initiatives.
For more information, please contact: RCMP Media Relations at (613) 993-2999
