Innisfail teen Erich Marcinkowski is a Mountie in waiting.
The 16-year-old Grade 11 student at Innisfail High School has long wanted to become an RCMP officer and he soon may get his big opportunity to show his mettle.
“I like the community involvement and the honour that comes with the job, as well as helping people, helping the community and stopping crime,” said Marcinkowski, knowing he has a special opportunity.
Since last year he has been shadowing Innisfail RCMP Const. Anne Marie Durette, the detachment's school resource officer, and his hard work and dedication may get him selected to attend a special summer camp this year at RCMP Academy, Depot Division in Regina.
“I just can't pick any kid who wants to work with me. I have to hand pick them because there is a lot of secrecy and confidentiality with my work,” said Durette.
Marcinkowski applied for Depot last year after shadowing Durette but sadly found out he was too young. But the young man persevered. He kept at it and this year he has been shadowing Durette since January, an hour a day at school and on weekends.
“With all the interest he had and his qualifications, I told him this would be great for him and he applied. Last year he was a bit too young but this year he will be able to go,” said Durette. “And from what it looks like he will probably be picked by the people who organize that camp and he will be able go to Depot to be kind of an officer.”
The summer camp in Regina is designed to give selected students in grades 11 and 12 across Canada an opportunity to experience life at the RCMP academy and will include drills, driver simulator training, firearms, police officer scenarios, as well as a tour of Depot and the RCMP Museum. From there, the RCMP get its own chance to look at the best of the national police force's future policemen.
“For the RCMP it is not easy to get somebody and say, ‘yes, you can work with us.' Erich really wanted to become an RCMP officer,” said Durette. “He was ready to learn from me, and always asking questions.
“Of course I can't include him in everything I do but everything community-wise I did. I asked him to do stuff on his own to see if he was a person who could learn,” she added. “I gave him directions and he did stuff for me and brought it back. I checked on it and he always did well.”
Even with Durette's support and his high qualifications and stellar shadowing performance it was not quite enough for Marcinkowski to get a pass to Depot this summer. Late last month he had to go through the interview process in Red Deer with an RCMP recruitment officer from K Division headquarters. Marcinkowski said it went well and he will know for sure this month if he can move on to the next step of his chosen career.
“I think I did okay but I won't know for sure whether it is yes or no,” said the teen. “But it sounds like it was good.”
Innisfail RCMP Const. Anne Marie Durette
"I asked him to do stuff on his own to see if he was a person who could learn. I gave him directions and he did stuff for me and brought it back. I checked on it and he always did well."
