Wanted: Volunteers for RCMP Victim Services Unit

The Prince George RCMP is looking for volunteers for the Victim Services Unit.

The Victim Services Unit is a city-funded organization that accompanies RCMP officers to the sometimes devastating crime scenes and tragedy. They provide support to the survivors and loved ones of serious offences such as murders, assaults, sexual assaults, and other incidents such as sudden deaths, suicides, and motor vehicle incidents.

The Victim Services Unit is made up of volunteers, who respond when needed 24 hours a day, 365 days a week.

“We’re looking for people who are willing and able to work on their own, and are able to think on their feet,” said Prince George RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

“A lot of the time you are going into a situation where maybe all of the factors are unknown, because you’ll be meeting with victims possibly immediately on the scene of a fatality.”

Some requirements for volunteers are:

• Be committed to working an office shift each week, and a minimum of two, 12-hour on call shifts each month, followed by attending monthly staff meetings and training.
• Be at least 19 years of age, mature, and demonstrate good judgement
• Be able to obtain an RCMP Enhanced Reliability Security Clearance before volunteering.
• Have a valid Class 5 Driver’s License and provide a Driver’s Abstract upon acceptance and annually thereafter.

Cooper added they’ve normally had a dedicated set of volunteers, but the pandemic has made it a struggle.

“We’re looking to start ramping that up again as we are kind of finding our groove with restrictions,” Cooper said.

“Unfortunately these types of files haven’t stopped rolling in, so we do need people who are wanting to come out and assist our victims and families through some of the most difficult days of their lives.”

Anyone interested in joining the RCMP Victim Services team can complete an application package, which is available and the Community Policing Office at 455 Victoria Street. Anyone with questions about the program can call 250-561-3329.