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MARCH 2013, VoluMe #4 Issue #3
March 2013,
Volume #4 Issue #3
The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police
Wood Buffalo Detachment
Fort McMurray, AB
From February 2nd- 10th, the regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
was home to youth from all over our great country who gathered in our
community to throw rocks at houses.
Naturally, the RCMP was in attendance to assist with the Canadian Junior
Curling Championships which was hosted at MacDonald Island Park. local
members from Wood Buffalo Detachment attended in their ceremonial Red
serge for the opening ceremonies and for the trophy presentations to the
winning teams, team Manitoba for the men’s and team British Columbia for the
women’s. Mounties and Curling, it doesn’t get more Canadian than that!
In This Issue
RCMP History lesson ................. 2
Celebrating the Centennial
Crest .......................................... 2
A Career Nowhere Near
ordinary ...................................... 2
WinterPlAY 2013 ........................ 3
seatbelt Awareness .................... 4
Traffic safety is a Priority for all .... 4
Honor Violence ........................... 5
Pink shirt Day .............................. 5
Convergence YMM ..................... 5
Never too Cool for school ......... 6
Vehicle safety Avoiding -
Warm-up Thefts .......................... 6
RCMP Attend Your event ........... 6
Welcome to the Force
Mr. Janvier .................................. 7
RCMP Youth Camp ..................... 7
Name the Puppy Poster ............. 8
Royal Canadian
Mounted Police

CMP HISTOry LeSSOn
On January 5th, Cst. Christina Wilkins attended Heritage
Park to speak to a Grade 2 class from Father Turcotte
School about the role of the police in Fort McMurray over
the last 100 years.
Cst. Wilkins interacted with the students while presenting
facts about the origin of the RCMP’s name as well as the
uniform. There was lots of participation by the students, and
they really enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions. A few
lucky students were picked from the group to experience being
handcuffed; it was difficult to choose as all the kids wanted to
see what it was like. It was apparent by the amount of hands in
the air that all the students enjoyed the visit from Cst. Wilkins.
CeLeBraTInG THe CenTennIaL CreST
On February 11th, Cpl. Byron
Wilkins attended a meeting
for the Catholic School
Board to showcase the newly
unveiled Wood Buffalo rCMP
Centennial Crest.
The crest competition
was open to all youth in our
community and resulted in
over 200 entries. The winner,
eden Bouzane, and one of the
other finalists, Aleksis Agustin,
both from Holy Trinity Catholic
High school, were also in
attendance at the meeting.
Cpl. Wilkins provided an
overview of the competition
and recognized the efforts and
hard-work of the youngsters.
a Career nOWHere near OrdInary
as a member of the royal Canadian Mounted Police, you will play
an important role in ensuring the safety and security of those in
the community you serve.
Proud of our traditions and confident in meeting future challenges,
officers are responsible for preserving the peace, enforcing the law,
investigating crimes, and are committed to providing quality service
in partnership with our communities.
Police officers also serve as role models and leaders who provide
advice and guidance to people from all walks of life.
Make a difference in your community and for your country. Join the
more than 19,000 RCMP members and build on the 139-year legacy!
For more information on this exciting and rewarding career, please visit our websites at www.rcmpcareers.ca or
www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca. You may also contact us by phone at 1.877.rCMP.GrC (1.877.726.7472).
2

WInTerPLay 2013
Monty, the rCMP Safety Bear,
came out of hibernation a few
times this winter to make an
appearance at some of the
WinterPLay festivities held at
various locations throughout
Wood Buffalo.
on February 15th, Monty, and
his entourage from Community
Policing, took to the slopes at Vista
Ridge for Family ski and Tube Day
to hand-out positive tickets to
skiers and snowboarders who were
wearing helmets and otherwise
conducting themselves safely on
the slopes.
on February 18th, Monty
attended the WinterGYMBoRee
along with Cpl. Byron Wilkins,
Cst. Amrita Takhar, Cst. Ashley
Quallie, and Cst. Christina Wilkins.
The event, held at Holy Trinity
Catholic High school, was set-up
with bouncy castles, laser tag, face
painting and other great indoor
activities for kids. Monty was not
partial to having his face painted,
but he happily posed for cartoonist
Robert Woodbury.
on February 22nd, Monty
made his way down to the snye to
take in the WinterPlAYGRouND
and the shoot-out on the snye.
Accompanied by Cst. Jesse Jones
and Cst. Dale Bendfeld, Monty
also participated in the mascot
shoot-out where youngsters had
the opportunity to face-off against
mascots tending the hockey goal.
To conclude this year’s festivities,
on February 24th, Cst. Jesse Jones
and Cst. Dale Bendfeld returned
to the WinterPlAY grounds for the
Closing Ceremony dressed in their
traditional Red serge.
3

SeaTBeLT aWareneSS
during the month of March the
Traffic Safety focus, as per the
alberta Traffic Safety Plan, is on
occupant restraints.
The Wood Buffalo RCMP along
with their law enforcement partners
want motorists to ask themselves
one simple question: ‘What’s
holding me back?’ The proper use
of occupant restraints significantly
decreases the severity of injuries
sustained as a result of motor
vehicle collisions. Research and
collision investigations indicate that
seat belts increase the chances of
survival in a collision by 50 percent.
According to Transport Canada,
almost 40 percent of drivers and
passengers killed in collisions were
not buckled up at the time of the
crash.
When a vehicle stops suddenly in
a collision, any unrestrained persons
or objects continue traveling at
the same speed until they hit
something. This can included any
object in the vehicle,
part of the vehicle or
another occupant. The
proper use of seatbelts,
and other occupant
restraints such as child
car seats, is often
accredited with the
prevention of death or
injury in the event of a
collision. The awareness
efforts on this important
safety message is an ongoing
initiative, however
during the month of
March, motorists can
expect to see even
more enforcement and
education surrounding
the proper use of
seatbelts.
Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking
motorists to keep safety in mind
and buckle up. The use of a seatbelt
should be an automatic reflex to
getting into any motor vehicle,
for drivers and passengers alike.
Drivers are also reminded that they
are responsible for any passengers
under the age of 16 to be properly
belted-in; failing to comply with
the law will net drivers and/or
passengers with a violation ticket
wherein fines start at $115.00.
TraFFIC SaFeTy IS a PrIOrITy FOr aLL
On February 12th, the Fort
McMurray Integrated Traffic unit
(comprised of alberta Sheriffs and
rCMP members), Wood Buffalo
rCMP Municipal Traffic Services,
Wood Buffalo rCMP Senior
Management, local MLas Mike
allen and don Scott, and alberta
Premier alison redford met to
discuss road safety on the highways
within the regional Municipality of
Wood Buffalo.
Traffic safety is a priority for
the RCMP and their law enforcement partners, as well as our local political representatives, but it is also the
responsibility of every motorist and user of the roadways to conduct themselves safely and courteously.
4

PInk SHIrT day
Bullying is a major problem in our
schools, work places, communities
and over the internet.
on February 27th people were
encouraged to wear a pink shirt to
help raise awareness and to try to
minimize the amount of bullying
that is plaguing our society.
unfortunately, National Pink shirt
day was held on a day when local
school’s are out for the teacher’s
conference, but that didn’t stop
ecole MacTavish from hosting an
event! on February 21st, the entire
school packed the gymnasium and
was treated by guest appearances
from the Fort McMurray oil Barons,
Fire Department, and songs and
poems from school staff and fellow
students. Cst. Jesse Jones and Cst.
Natasha lytwenko, of the Wood
Buffalo Community Policing unit,
also attended to participate in the
event and show their support for
this worthwhile cause.
HOnOur
vIOLenCe
COnFerenCe
COnverGenCe yMM
On February 12th, Cst. Jesse Jones attended the yMM Convergence
Conference at the Quality Inn Hotel.
This two day conference was held for local leaders to gather and talk
about the expected growth of our region and how it will affect the nonprofit
sector. Cst. Jones was part of a public service panel along with
representatives from the Health Region, Keyano College, Public and
Catholic school Districts, and Wood Buffalo Housing. each representative
presented on their respected organization and was then put in the hot
seat as conference-goers had the chance to ask questions about how the
organizations were going to respond to the unprecedented growth our
region is experiencing!
Fort McMurray took center stage
as host of the first Culturally driven
violence Conference in the province
of alberta.
Hosted by Fort McMurray Victim
services, the conference saw a
selection of experts from across
Canada gather in our Wood Buffalo
community to educate professionals
on what honour violence looks like
and how front line service providers
can respond. The conference
welcomed over 100 participants
from Wood Buffalo and across
the province. Many thanks to the
collaborative community partners
involved for a successful conference!
5

never TOO COOL FOr SCHOOL!
Over the past month, members
from the Wood Buffalo
detachment attended various
schools and play-groups to talk
about safety.
Cst. Christina Wilkins and Cst.
Jesse Jones, from the Community
Policing unit attended Thickwood
Heights school on several occasions
throughout the month of February
to talk to pre-school aged children
about stranger danger and the role
of a police officer.
on February 11th, sgt. steve
Vince and Cpl. Angela Gilchrist,
from ‘D’ Watch, made their way
to Dickensfield school to engage
grade one students in a safety
presentation and also addressed
questions students had about lockdown
procedures.
Cpl. Byron Wilkins, from ‘A’
Watch, attended st. Anne’s school
on February 13th, to present a
lesson to one of the kindergarten
classes on being a police officer and
when is the right time to call 9-1-1.
rCMP ready
TO aTTend
yOur evenT!
veHICLe SaFeTy: avOIdInG WarM-uP THeFTS
Jack Frost is making sure that temperatures stay chilly this winter
season and this is tempting many motorists to leave vehicles run in
attempts to warm them prior to travel.
Vehicles left running, unlocked and unattended create unnecessary risk
and pose the potential for criminal activity. over the course of this winter
investigators have responded to numerous complaints of stolen vehicles
that fall under the category of ‘warm-up’ thefts.
Crime prevention is a priority for the RCMP, but it’s also a collective
community effort. Dress for the weather and do not leave idling vehicles
unattended. ‘Warm-up’ thefts are 100% preventable!
Would you like to have the rCMP
provide a presentation to a class,
group, or organization?
Do you want an RCMP member to
attend your event in their traditional
Red serge? Would you like our
mascot Monty the safety Bear to
brighten your event?
All requests for RCMP members
or Monty the safety Bear can be
made by emailing fort_mcmurray_
cpvs@rcmp-grc.gc.ca by calling
780.788.4245 or by request on
our Facebook page ‘Wood Buffalo
Community Policing’. Be sure to
leave a name and a phone number
that you can be reached at during
normal business hours.
Please contact us at least two or
three weeks in advance with your
request.
6

WeLCOMe TO THe FOrCe Mr. JanvIer!
On January 31st, Mr. david
Janvier attended the Timberlea
detachment to take part in the
launch of the rCMP Centennial
Celebrations.
Mr. Janvier was also fitted for
his RCMP “Red Blazer as he was
recently appointed to the RCMP
“K” Divisions Commanding
officers Aboriginal Advisory
Council. The council meets with
the Commanding officer of “K”
Division and discusses RCMP
operational and policy issues within
Alberta’s Aboriginal Communities.
Mr. Janvier is a local leader who has
lived, worked, and raised his many
children in our region, so he was a
natural fit for the council!
Community Policing would like
to congratulate Mr. Janvier for his
recent appointment, and also thank
him for his continued service to our
community!
rCMP yOuTH CaMP
The rCMP will be hosting its third annual youth
Camp from august 11th – 17th, 2013!
Thirty-two students from across the prairies and
territories will be selected to attend the RCMP Training
Academy in Regina, saskatchewan to learn what it takes
to become an RCMP officer. The students will train like
cadets and will gain first hand experience of what a
career in law enforcement requires. The event is open
to applications from all interested Grade 11 and 12
students and all costs associated with this program will
be covered by the RCMP.
This event is extremely popular amongst students
and feedback from those who have attended in the
past has been very positive. That being said, it’s still a
very competitive process as you can imagine. Not all
students will be selected to attend. Most students will
be contacted for interviews also, thereby making this
process one that will provide them with valuable “jobseeking”
experience that will serve them well with their
future endeavors.
The Application deadline is March 28th, 2013. For
further information please contact RCMP Community
Policing at 780-788-4245.
7

Name the Puppy 2013
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) needs help in naming a handful of their newest (and cutest) recruits!
Young Canadians are invited to submit a name suggestion for one of
10 German Shepherd puppies soon to be born at the
Police Dog Service Training Centre (PDSTC) in Innisfail, Alberta.
Entrants are encouraged to be original and imaginative in finding
names that will serve these puppies well in their career with
Canada's national police force. When thinking of names, it is
important to keep in mind that these are working police dogs, not
pets.
Contest rules are simple:
Contestants can suggest only one name (one entry per person).
• The name may be for a male or a female pup.
• The name must start with the letter “F”.
• The name must have no more than nine letters.
• The name must be one or two syllables.
• Contestants must live in Canada and be 16 years old or younger.
Although there can be only ten winners, names not selected for the
contest will be considered for other puppies born during the year.
To enter, contestants must print their name, age, address,
telephone number and the suggested name for a puppy on a
postcard and mail it to:
Attn: "Name the Puppy Contest"
Police Dog Service Training Centre
Box 6120, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1S8
The RCMP will accept more than one entry per household
provided that each participant submits one name per
postcard.
The deadline for entries is March 22, 2013. Contest
winners and prizes will be announced on April 16, 2013.
Winning names will be chosen by the PDSTC staff. A draw
will determine the winning entry in the event of multiple
submissions of the same name.
The PDSTC is home to the RCMP national police dog training program and is part of “Depot” Division. As a
result of the Centre's breeding program, 85% of the dogs working as police dogs within the force were born at
the centre.
8