An examination of the RCMP auxiliary program in British Columbia: through the lens of auxiliary constables

This paper reports on the results of a survey of RCMP auxiliary constables in British Columbia. The purpose of the survey was to obtain a candid and instructive view of the work auxiliaries performed within the province and how RCMP auxiliary constables perceived their work. The aim of the survey was to provide information to assist the RCMP in better understanding how the auxiliary program might be improved. The results of the survey suggested that auxiliary constables were a diverse, well educated, and committed group of individuals who contributed far more than is expected of them. The results also indicated that while there was a very high level of satisfaction among auxiliaries for most aspects of the program, there were a few issues that a significant number of auxiliaries expressed dissatisfaction with. These issues, namely the auxiliary constable uniform and the extent to which they were respected and accepted by full-time officers, are the same issues identified in earlier studies of auxiliary constables. Based on the findings of the survey, this major paper offers suggestions on what the RCMP might do to improve the auxiliary program.