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Auxiliary officers serve vital role

Timmins Police is in search of a few good men and women to join its auxiliary ranks. 

Today, auxiliary officers and Youth in Policing ambassadors got hands-on with a mock crime scene. Forensic unit officers Const. Erin Halt and Const. Ryan Rantala walked the group through the steps to take processing a crime scene.

“This is an investment in their expertise because quite often the auxiliary officers will be called to crime scenes and they have to know what to do and how to behave so that evidence isn’t lost and the scene is preserved for the forensic analysis to take place. They serve a vital purpose in that regard,” said Marc Depatie, Timmins Police corporate communications co-ordinator.

The service is looking for five new auxiliary officers. Right now, there are seven people in the unit. A full complement is 12 officers.

“We are eagerly looking for mature, composed individuals who want to contribute to the betterment of their community by serving the Timmins Police Service,” he said.

An auxiliary officer is a volunteer position. Their duties include helping crowd management at events, searching for missing people, providing support during major emergencies, doing ride-alongs with sworn-in officers, and more.

Amy Mulryan and Jordan Guenette are both experienced auxiliary officers. 

Having always wanted to be a police officer, Guenette signed on in 2017. Being comfortable in his career, policing has taken a step back, but is open to it should the right opportunity arise.

Ride-alongs are one of his favourite parts of the position. 

"That’s what I really wanted to do so it’s something I enjoy. The community events are awesome too. We have Rock on the River coming up and that’s going to be fun, same as it is every year. Stars and Thunder was a great time," he said, explaining the role allows him to see a different side of events and the city.

Wanting to be more involved in the community, Mulryan signed on as an auxiliary officer in July 2019.

“You have an idea of what policing is when you go into it and I think once you go on your first ride-along and you see what actual calls look like, I don’t think it changes your perspective but definitely opens up your eyes to the everyday experience of our everyday officers and what they go through,” she said.

Her message for people considering applying for the auxiliary is to do it. 

The qualifications for being an auxiliary officer are: 

  • Be 18 years of age 
  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Be of good moral character and habits, with no criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
  • Possess an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma (or equivalent)
  • Possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License
  • Preferably hold current certification in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Meet minimum vision requirements
  • Be physically and medically fit

More details on the auxiliary and how to apply are available here.