Ever since she was young, Janelle Allison has wanted to don the prestigious Red Serge of the RCMP.
Now, she’s had her chance.
Last week, the 17-year-old Airdrie resident shipped out to Regina, the RCMP’s head depot, for one week of intensive boot camp.
“I’m excited and nervous at the exact same time,” said Allison.
She was joined by 15 other young Albertans at the Depot Youth Camp Aug. 15 to 19 where she participated in a brand new program rolled out by Canada’s police force.
“They’re going to get a good feel of what RCMP training is like,” said RCMP spokesperson Const. Krista Woods. “We hope to gain some future police officers as a result.”
Allison is hoping to become one of those officers.
“I’ve always wanted to do stuff in the community and be in the community,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to go to this.”
Allison was interviewed by Woods and the teen “felt so comfortable with her” and performed well enough in the question process to be selected.
“I just was myself,” said Allison. “I wasn’t really prepping for it because I would be so nervous.”
Woods agreed and said there’s a fine future in law enforcement for Allison.
“She’s a highly motivated student, which is what we’re looking for — not afraid of hard work and good communication skills,” said Woods. “I have no doubt that Janelle would make a great police officer.”
In addition, Woods noted Allison’s drive, outgoing personality and her strong marks in school as assets.
Allison’s mother Gloria works in a civilian role at Airdrie’s RCMP detachment and is very supportive of her daughter’s boot camp experience and chosen career path.
“They’re only going to be there a week, but I think it will be fun and they will be shown what to do if they get into RCMP school,” said Gloria. “The biggest thing for us to get our mind around is that she would have a gun.”
Students will participate in group marches, self defence classes, handcuffing techniques, a driver simulator machine and classroom instruction.
“It’s going to be long days,” said Woods. “(They’re) up early and they’re going to have to keep their sleeping area immaculate.”
Woods said there may even be surprise inspections for the rookies.
As for Allison, she plans to work as a flight attendant for a few years, building up life experience, with the goal of cracking the force in her early 20s.
“You still deal with difficult people and I get to travel,” she said. “It’s a win-win situation for me.”
