Less than two weeks after graduating at the RCMP police academy in Regina, Sask., Andrew Waters reported Friday, Nov. 21, for his first day on the job at the RCMP detachment in Williams Lake.
The 26-year-old constable stands six feet five inches tall, a stature his supervisor Const. Randolph Gillis said could earn him the nickname "twin towers." That's because Const. Casey Charles, also stationed at the Williams Lake detachment, measures six feet seven inches.
Originally from Brampton, Ont., Waters had been working as a recruiter for the University of Acadia in Nova Scotia, before he entered the police academy six months ago.
However, he told the Tribune he had been thinking about pursuing a career with the police since he was about 18 years of age.
"I wanted a career that had opportunity to move and explore different parts of Canada and I wanted to be able to give back to the community," he said.
Anticipating that work will be busy at the Williams Lake detachment, Waters said he has heard it is a great place for somebody to gain experience in various types of policing.
And as is routine for new recruits, he will spend the first two months closely monitored by Gillis.
"I will know where he is at all times, he won't really leave my side," Gillis said.
During the two- to four-month period, Waters will branch out a bit and take more of the lead.
"After four months, if he's competent and needs little guidance then I can sign off and he can do more independently," Gillis added.
Between the four to six month period Gillis will prepare weekly reports, evaluating Waters' progress. After six months Waters will sit down with an evaluation board face-to-face for an interview and evaluation.
If he passes that six-month mark, then he will complete his probation period, and be ready to be a full-fledged member of the detachment.
Waters said he enjoyed his training at depot.
He was one of 29 students who graduated on Nov. 10 — seven of the graduates were females.
"I really liked the scenario-based training in the program," Waters said. "It exposes cadets to common calls to help us learn what we might expect."
He also loved the fitness aspect of the training.
The students routinely did uniform runs, fully clad, wearing an additional 20 pounds worth of vests and belts with equipment.
When he's not working he hopes to play soccer and baseball while working in Williams Lake, pastimes he'll pursue once his belongings arrive from Nova Scotia.
An avid outdoorsman, he is excited about exploring the Cariboo with his wife who has also moved here with him.