The RCMP have released their new strategy for the use of auxiliary police officers.

There will now be a three-tiered system available, ranging from tier one with the use of auxiliaries for providing general community policing services and public education which will not require officers to be designated as peace officers.

Tier 3 would see auxiliaries designated as peace officers and used to assist in check stops and the like, including general duty patrols or ride-alongs.

“This new tiered model allows for each province and territory to select the tier which best suits their needs,” Coralee Reid, manager of communications for the Yukon’s “M” Division, explained in an interview last Friday.

Reid said the RCMP will now work with the Yukon government to determine which of the tiers or combination of tiers is best for the territory.

“I am sure very early in the new year, discussions will be occurring,” she said.

Reid said the tier three model most closely resembles how auxiliary officers have been used in the Yukon.

The new structure was announced last Thursday following a period of evaluation and consultation that began earlier this year.

Reid said “M” Division currently has 10 auxiliary officers who have received full training and another five are awaiting training. The type of training they’ll receive will depend on what tier is chosen for the Yukon, she said.

Reid said the Yukon’s auxiliary officers have remained active during the review, and have participated in uniform at events such as the Canada Day parade and Remembrance Day ceremonies.

“These changes have been made based on evidence and extensive, thoughtful consultation,” RCMP Deputy Commissioner Kevin Brosseau, Contract and Aboriginal Policing, said in last Thursday’s national press release.

“I am confident they will improve the program, and contribute to the safety of our auxiliaries, our police officers and the public we serve.

“We’re very encouraged and excited about the future of this program.”

The national release says the RCMP will work closely with its divisions and provincial and territorial governments in organizing and administering the new program in the coming months.

In addition to developing training programs for each of the three tiers, there’s also the need to look at uniform options, says the release.

A summary of the three tiers provided by the RCMP is as follows:

• Tier 1: Tier 1 provides RCMP auxiliaries an opportunity to participate in community policing services, such as public safety education and crime prevention initiatives. This tier requires general supervision. Under tier 1, Auxiliaries would not be given peace officer status.

• Tier 2: Tier 2 includes all of the duties listed in Tier 1 with the addition of assisting at major events, community presence via foot and bicycle patrols, crowd and traffic control duties, training support and delivery, disaster assistance and search and rescue operations assistance. Tier 2 does not include general duty patrols (ride-a-longs).

Auxiliaries under Tier 2 would be under the direct supervision of a regular member of the RCMP. Tier 2 would provide peace officer status where provincial/ territorial legislation permits.

• Tier 3: Tier 3 includes a combination of duties from both Tier 1 and Tier 2 with the addition of general duty patrols and check stops. Tier 3 would provide peace officer status where provincial/ territorial legislation permits.