Quote:
Originally Posted by Okotokian
OK Raab, I'll go with your idea. So how many hours of training per year do you estimate it would take to train up a volunteer officer who can competently handle hostage situations, take downs of armed assailants, know the law, follow proper search and arrest procedures that stand up in court, and have the training to safely and effectively use their weapons, as well as make the decision on when it is appropriate to kill someone? And do this, unlike volunteer firemen, alone.
My second question is, how many people within 15 minutes of you will undertake the training and be on call and available at any time? If the answer is none, then this is all moot. As a measure, how many people near you are enlisted in the Armed Forces reserves?
Listen, I'm not pooh-poohing some sort of auxiliary force. But your proposal would have them doing the absolute most critical and dangerous task that police officers do, sometimes not very well even with all their training.
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The whole point of POC is that the police would NOT respond alone. There would always be at least 2 members going, and depending on the call preferably 4-6. If we couldn't get the numbers you wait and go in with an RCMP officer or page in another department close by. To meet up before going to the scene.
As for training an initial paid 180 hours. To learn the basics before being allowed to patrol. After that 3 hours a week plus six 8 hour weekends in the first year for a total of 380 hours. An option should also be allowed for those who could take a full time course to do it over 1 month. This is just to get people ready for scenes, their training would continue into the next year with weekly 3 hour training but not have to commit to weekends. All training would be paid at normal wage. This is just a spitball of an idea of how the system could work. Obviously it would be open for consultation. Would definitely want input from both the RCMP and Solicitor General on what they feel would be the best for training needs and where we should focus our training efforts.
And my neighbor just recently got out of the reserves due to the drive, but was with the main force until his retirement. Several people I know would be open to this as a good way to serve the community.