National Volunteer Week: recognizing those who help the Kamloops RCMP

Kamloops City

2022-04-25 07:57 PDT

In the same way that it takes a village to raise a child, the Kamloops RCMP Detachment knows it takes volunteers to help police a community.

In 2021, local volunteers donated more than 4,500 hours setting up Speed Watch boards, facilitating restorative justice forums, conducting crime prevention by environmental design assessment, and so much more to help keep the community safe.

It’s because of our volunteers that we’re able to do more in the community, their time is appreciated by the Crime Prevention Unit and Victim Services Unit, said Corporal Dana Napier, Kamloops RCMP Crime Prevention Unit.

To celebrate their contribution to the community, the City of Kamloops and the Kamloops RCMP Detachment are highlighting a different volunteer each week day during National Volunteer Week, April 24-30, starting with Aaron Phipps.

A head and shoulders photo of a man with short hair, facial hair, and glasses.

View larger image: Aaron Phipps

An Alberta native, Mr. Phipps settled down in Kamloops in 2016, moving to the City with his wife who had grown up locally.

Along with a passion to give back to the community, Mr. Phipps also brought with him a background in working with youth and vulnerable sector adults.

I’ve always had a drive to work with and mentally coach young men, especially who had interaction with law enforcement at a young age, said Mr. Phipps.

In 1999, Mr. Phipps moved to Trinidad and Tobago to join his parents who had moved there after retirement. During the eight years he spent there, he obtained his undergraduate in theology with a minor in philosophy, then worked as a youth pastor.

He moved back to Alberta in 2007 and continued to find employment related to youth, including by working with boys who had displayed sexually intrusive behaviours, and youth probation.

In Calgary, part of his job was to help youth get more acquainted with the community. He really enjoyed getting them involved with volunteering, but he never really had the opportunity to work with police and get acquainted with their perspective.

That opportunity came in 2017, when he joined the team of Kamloops RCMP volunteers. Since joining, he had been involved in the 529 Garage Program, Speed Watch, Cell Watch, Business Watch, Citizens on Patrol, and Restorative Justice – something he is particularly passionate about.

It falls in line well within my belief system that I try to bring to corrections, he said, adding the program really helps find and work on the root of the problem. RJ is a good opportunity to be proactive in addressing the wellbeing in both the victim and offender… hopefully they’ll be able to understand the impact their behaviour has had on a person and community.

At the end of the day, I just want to give back to the community and with the number of programs available through the RCMP, I’m able to do my little bit, he added.

Currently, Mr. Phipps works in Corrections, and recently secured a scholarship through work toward his Masters in Criminal Justice, specializing in Forensic Psychology. He hopes to use his experience and education to one day become a probation officer.

Aaron has a calm and compassionate approach to his volunteer duties, we respect and appreciate, said Corporal Napier. Although we’re profiling Aaron today, there are many other great volunteers who are also responsible for helping to make Kamloops shine.

For more information on becoming a Kamloops RCMP volunteer, please visit www.kamloops.ca/crimeprevention, or contact the North Shore Community Policing Office at 250-376-5099, or email kamloops_crime_prevention@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

 

Released by

Cst. Crystal Evelyn

Media Relations Officer
Kamloops RCMP
560 Battle Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 6N4
Office: 250-828-3000
Fax: 250-828-3034

Email: crystal.evelyn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: kamloops.rcmp.ca

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