Const. Matthew (Matt) Young joined the 100 Mile House RCMP detachment in August 2014, and is now a member of its Crime Reduction Unit (CRU).
He says this means he holds more of a proactive and preventive role in targeted law enforcement.
When potential or known crimes are about to happen, Young says he and his CRU teammates collect information and then try to prevent the act before it takes place, or catch the criminal in the act.
If known criminals move in to the area, CRU stays in contact with them or otherwise tries to ascertain that no more crimes are in their agenda, he explains.
He keeps a bit of a low profile in his specialized police work to reduce and prevent criminal activities.
“We aren’t as actively in the public eye as general duty [officers].”
His secondary role as a CRU member is to support and help alleviate some of what the general duty is doing.
The detachment’s new constable says joining the RCMP was his longtime interest since attending high school in his hometown of Kingston, Ont.
Young says he wanted to do something that contributes to the community and helps those who need it.
He transferred here from Strathcona County, Alta., where he was stationed for more than six years.
After serving as an officer in that Sherwood Park area covering about 100,000 people, he sought a posting in a rural setting and settled on 100 Mile House.
Young says he has always wanted to get into a country setting with more outdoor recreation opportunities.
“I have a dirt bike and an ATV and I love to do camping and all those sorts of things.”
Prior to police work, Young worked as one of the heads of security at Delta Lodge Kananaskis near Banff for about a year.
“I’d say the biggest thing I got from working security was developing that way of interacting and associating with the public in … a rule-enforcement role.”
Young says he got into policing to have a career apart from the typical nine-to-five desk job, and he enjoys the camaraderie it provides.
“It kind of offers a bit of variety, a little bit of excitement, and I’m out dealing with people and the public.”
After attending university for 18 months in Australia – where he finished his criminology degree after his college stint in Kingston – he then travelled for six months, he says.
“I saw South Africa and a bunch of Egypt, the Netherlands, and Ireland; I toured around to see the world a bit.”
Young says he has greatly enjoyed his interactions and activities in the South Cariboo so far.
“It’s a great group here in 100 Mile, and it’s a great community to work in and to live in.”
