New program allows newcomer to take 1st step toward joining RCMP

Harleen Kaur, who grew up in Punjab, India and became a Canadian permanent resident on P.E.I. last year, feels a little closer to her dream of becoming a police officer thanks to a new program from the RCMP.

Kaur’s grandfather was a police officer in India.

“I like to help the people,” said Kaur. “I think policing is the means to help.”

Getting into a police school in India is difficult. Kaur felt like she might have more luck in Canada, but there were still barriers. One of those barriers was being an immigrant. In order to join the RCMP, applicants must be Canadian citizens or have been a permanent resident for at least three years.

But the RCMP has set its sights on recruiting more people from different cultural backgrounds.

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