The Auxiliary Police Program is a volunteer program intended to enhance community based policing and provide an opportunity for citizens to participate in law enforcement on an organized basis. Auxiliary Constables provide a complementary service to the regular Force. In other words, Auxiliary Constables assist members of the Force while under supervision.

Auxiliary Constables (A/Csts) are volunteers from the communities we service in British Columbia. All volunteers undergo 160 hours of orientation training. They also undertake to continue their training at the Detachment level through on-the-job experience, supervision and through the use of training courses and manuals.

All A/Csts commit to a minimum of 160 hours of voluntary service every year in which they remain in the program. Working alongside regular members of the RCMP, Auxiliaries are appointed Special Constables by the Provincial Minister of Justice. As such, they have the full powers afforded all Peace Officers in the Province in the execution of their duties. This appointment is only for use while accompanied and under the direct supervision of a regular member of the RCMP.

A/Csts are essentially issued the kit and clothing as worn by regular members of the RCMP, without being armed. The addition of 'Auxiliary Constable' patches worn on their uniform sleeves, clearly identifies them as such.

This program provides citizens with an opportunity to voluntarily participate in law enforcement on an organized basis. Upon meeting the qualification standards, the volunteer will be recruited and trained to a level of proficiency which will enable them to provide assistance to on-duty members of the RCMP.

Purpose of the Auxiliary Program

The purpose of the British Columbia’s Auxiliary Program is to strengthen community and police partnerships by providing an opportunity for citizen volunteers to perform authorized activities in support of strategies to address the causes of, or reduce the fear of, crime and disorder.

Auxiliaries, through their office, training, uniform and association with the police, achieve a level of credibility with the public that provides the police and the community with the opportunity to coordinate, facilitate, and implement community policing and crime prevention programs in areas that may not have the necessary community infrastructure to support public safety initiatives, or in environments that are not suitable for other volunteers.