Police cars, tactical equipment, investigative tools and much more were on display at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment Saturday.
It was all part of a Nanaimo RCMP open house, which gave the community the opportunity to learn more about what police do and what resources they offer. Saturday’s open house featured everything from police equipment and police dogs to family activities such as face painting. There were also public tours of the detachment’s jail cells as well as information booths about bike safety, victims services and career opportunities with both the RCMP and Canadian military.
Nanaimo RCMP Supt. Cameron Miller said holding the open house is an opportunity for the public to interact with police officers and learn about what goes into being an officer, adding that there is more to the job than people think.
“What people see on TV isn’t always what we do and we want to give them a better look at what we do because the community is part of the police and the police is part of the community … The best part about holding open houses, there is no question about it, it is interaction with people. I get to meet members of my community and the community gets to meet us and talk to the police officers that keep them safe.”
Coun. Ian Thorpe said it was interesting for him to find out more about victims services, adding that there is more to the RCMP than just paid officers.
“There are so many offshoots to the RCMP and different components that are largely managed by volunteers and I think that is important,” he said.
Thorpe said the RCMP’s open house was a tremendous learning opportunity for the public.
”I think the turnout is an indicator in the interest that people have in the RCMP and all the things that they do to help protect and serve our community,” he said.
PHOTOS: Here are some shots I took from an @NanaimoRCMP open house that took place this afternoon at their detachment. pic.twitter.com/tBboWXSg58
— Nicholas M Pescod (@npescod) May 12, 2018
Here are a few more photos I took from this afternoon's @NanaimoRCMP open house. pic.twitter.com/x0fzkIJxUD
— Nicholas M Pescod (@npescod) May 12, 2018