Fostering Positive Community Relationships
Across the country our Members are showing up in meaningful ways, not just in moments of crisis, but through everyday efforts to build trust, support youth, and give back. This kind of relationship building doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of our Members showing up consistently every day, as coaches, mentors, volunteers, and neighbours.
In communities like Baddeck, Nova Scotia our Members play a key role in creating opportunities for youth. Whether it’s supporting local schools, volunteering in youth programs, or helping lead initiatives, Members are often deeply involved in the communities they serve.
RCMP Members Give Back to Baddeck Students
This is the case for Staff Sgt. Joshua Wiese, who, along with many other Members of the RCMP detachment in Baddeck are stepping up to support local Grade 11 and 12 students to fundraise and plan for a major tradition in their school: a trip to see more of Canada and learn more about the country and the people that make it great.
“I know that in every small community I have worked there is a special relationship between the RCMP and the town,” said Wiese. “Each one is built by the members before me, and I feel it’s my responsibility to make it stronger. That is what separates us from just policing.”
S/Sgt. Wiese and his fellow RCMP Members in Baddeck are supporting the students in a lot of different ways – from fundraising assistance to even attending the trip to act as a chaperone, mentor and leader.
Lending a Hand Where It’s Needed
“This is a small community, and RCMP Members here try to be involved in many things, from food drives and coaching to parades and community events,” said Wiese. “We want to ensure these youth have positive role models in the community.”
This trip has been an annual tradition for the Baddeck Academy graduating class for nearly 40 years, with students working together to fundraise to cover the costs of this unique experience. For many students, this is a life changing experience, offering a chance to be able to see the country beyond Nova Scotia for the very first time.
Many of the 31 students preparing to take part in this trip come from lower-income households or vulnerable backgrounds, including new Canadians, Indigenous youth, and those from single-parent or blended families. Many live far from town, and family responsibilities and limited access to public transportation make it challenging for students to participate in fundraising activities, but they don’t have to do it alone.
As part of their support, Members in the community secured $2,600 to help cover costs for this upcoming trip and provided some other fun RCMP-themed swag!
Member Support in Action
The support extends beyond a donation and swag! S/Sgt. Wiese has been helping students’ day in and day out, including sorting 50,000 cans for an upcoming student recycling fundraiser, as well as spending weekends prepping spaghetti dinners. Through small ways of giving pack like these, S/Sgt. Wiese demonstrates his commitment to building real relationships with these students long before they take off for their trip.
“I think it gives them a chance to see the police outside of social media clips or news stories, to see the other side of what we do,” he said. “There’s a lot more to policing than what they see.”
An Opportunity to Discover More
For many students, this trip is a chance for them to see possibilities for their future that go beyond what they know, whether that’s career paths, personal goals, or even simply a greater knowledge about their country.
As part of this year’s grad trip, our Member’s participation goes far beyond supervision; it’s about mentorship, connection and helping these students see new possibilities.
“My role will be to help foster healthy decision making, help foster independence as well,” said Staff Sergeant Wiese. “I hope to encourage a few to look at policing and the RCMP as a career since this is the graduating class and many will be making decisions about careers in the new future.”
Looking Ahead to the Trip
In their upcoming trip, taking place in 2026, the students will visit Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa and participate in educational activities, workshops and reflection sessions with the goal of deepening their experience and promoting personal growth.
We wish them the very best as they work toward this unforgettable experience and hope the journey ahead is filled with memories, growth and inspiration that will stay with them for a lifetime. We also extend our gratitude to the hard-working Members of the RCMP in Baddeck who are stepping up and giving back to make these dream experiences a reality – and to the thousands of Members who support communities just like this, every single day, all across Canada.