The RCMP knows they might be scary to some kids, and they don’t want to be. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Kids ‘n’ Kops program gets police and kids together, having fun, and learning about each other.
The program is a long-running one, and Constable Tiffany Fairbarn has been a part of it for the past three. They teach them all about emergency services, including fire and ambulance as well as the RCMP themselves. Beyond local services, the kids get a chance to travel to Depot in Regina, where the RCMP trains, and the kids will be cadets for the day.
Fairbarn said that part of the goal is to have kids comfortable enough to talk to them. She said that while police can be intimidating, they don’t want to be, and they want kids to be comfortable with them.
“It’s basically to show that we’re people, that we have fun, and hopefully they enjoy and take something from it. Maybe, eventually, they will want to be a police officer, or fire, or EMS.”
Beyond meeting emergency services, one of the goals is to keep kids safe. They learn about internet safety, learning from someone who was lured as a child, as well as someone talking about addiction. The kids also got a fingerprint kit to take home, just in case anything happens, so their information is safe.
“[We are] teaching the kids what is out there and how to be safe.”
It’s also for the RCMP, and Fairbarn said that it’s important for them to get out into the community and teaching kids.
