Image: BC RCMP / Twenty newly hired experienced police officers (EPO’s) completed their RCMP on-boarding and graduated with their troop last week following a modified training course at the Pacific Region Training Centre in Chilliwack. These officers have joined the BC RCMP from police forces nation-wide and will be assigned to various detachments and units across the province.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Newest RCMP members train in Chilliwack

Veteran police officers converge on PRTC in Chilliwack to join RCMP

Jul 11, 2023 | 2:16 PM

CHILLIWACK — Twenty veteran, experienced police officers (EPOs) completed their RCMP on-boarding and graduated with their troop last week following training at the Pacific Region Training Centre in Chilliwack.

These officers have joined the BC RCMP from police forces nation-wide and will be assigned to various detachments and units across the province.

Rather than formal training at the RCMP Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan, the RCMP says these officers already bring with them a wealth of knowledge and skill. As a result, they attended a modified three-week troop for orientation to the RCMP.

The training took place at the PRTC in Chilliwack and included courses in RCMP interviewing techniques, policy and procedures and tactical training. The officers will be reporting to their first posting this week starting Monday, July 10.

Image: BC RCMP / Experienced police officers train during a three-week troop at the Pacific Region Training Centre in Chilliwack. Twenty of the newest experienced police officers (EPOs) will start this week and be stationed all across the province, including Chilliwack.

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Graduates of the 2022 EPO Troop are assigned to:

• Frontline policing
  • Kelowna
  • Campbell River
  • Osoyoos
  • Chilliwack
  • Kamloops
  • Coquitlam
  • Shawnigan Lake
• LMD Integrated Emergency Response Team
• Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit B.C.
• BC Highway Patrol

“We are honored to have these officers join the RCMP and wish them success in the next chapter of their policing careers,” BC RCMP said in a statement.

Applications for EPOs are accepted throughout the year and there is no deadline to apply. There are over 150 career specializations and detachments all across Canada. Postings for EPOs are based on an officer’s interest, career goals and previous police experience.

To be eligible for the Experienced Police Officer program in British Columbia, applicants must:

• Have a minimum of two years full-time Canadian police service employment or equivalent [Equivalent is defined as any police service employment (full-time or part-time) that amounts to a total of 2 years’ full-time police service employment];
• Have graduated from a police training program at a recognized Canadian police training institution (Canadian Armed Forces Military Police must have successfully completed the basic police training (Qualification Level 3) after January 1, 2001);
• Meet all qualifications and requirements of a Regular Member applicant;
• Willing to work in the province of British Columbia; and
• Must be actively serving or inactive within the last three years.