The Grey Bruce OPP are looking for new auxiliary members.
Constable Krista Linthorne says auxiliary members help out OPP officers and detachments with a number of volunteer initiatives. That includes doing community patrols.
"Just like a police officer, but they are civilian members. So some things that the auxiliary program can do is they can do regular patrols with police officers, and they assist with community events, seatbelt clinics, R.I.D.E. programs, things like that," Linthorne explained.
Constable Linthorne says despite what some may think, you're never too old to become an OPP Auxiliary member.
"So the minimum age is 18, but there is no maximum, and our staff sergeant with the auxiliary program is actually in his 70s. So I recently did a volunteer fair in Meaford and a lot of the older community members came up to us and said they were too old to do this volunteer program and they're actually not. You may not wanna ride around with a police officer, but you could do a community event instead," noted Linthorne.
Outside of the 18-years-old minimum age, there are some other requirements.
"You need to be a Canadian citizen, you need your high school diploma or equivalent, a Class-G drivers license, no criminal record, and you do have to pass our medical, psychological, security and financial assessment. All members must pass an 8-day auxiliary recruit training course, and you'll be put up in a hotel and fed for those 8 days," Linthorne shared.
Anyone interested in applying can visit opp.ca/careers.