COTE FIRST NATION — The Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex hosted a special event where four members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spoke to students about careers in the force.
Constables Benjamin Berg, Kyle Lacharite, Laurin Holhoyi, and McKenna McAmmond shared insights at the June 12 event and answered questions about the recruitment process and life in the RCMP.
The event aimed to inspire students to consider a future in law enforcement. Const. Benjamin Berg highlighted the basic requirements to apply, noting that applicants must be at least 18 years old. “You have to be 19 by the time you graduate,” Berg explained. “If you’re 18-and-a-half, and you turn 19 by your graduation, that’s perfectly OK.”
Const. Berg addressed the importance of physical fitness, describing the physical tests required. “There are multiple physical parts that need to be passed, with a minimum threshold to move to the next step,” he said. “If you don’t meet the threshold, you get one chance to try again. If you’re still committed, you may get a few months to prepare better.”
In addition to the physical requirements, Berg detailed the initial testing process. “There’s a basic test covering grammar, punctuation, and middle school-level math,” he stated. “It’s designed to be manageable, so with some practice, applicants should be able to pass.”