If you haven't taken notice of Cst. Nathan Moore at your child's school, you soon will.
Moore, the youth liaison with the Cochrane RCMP detachment, is dedicated to spending his time in Cochrane schools to encourage and mentor youth, guide and educate them on all topics of interest – from cyberbulling to their rights under the Youth Criminal Justice Act to what it is that RCMP actually do.
"It's another adult figure they can talk to," explained Moore, who has been in an acting position since February covering Cst. Bonnie Sauve's leave. "It's a really good collaboration with the schools to meet their needs."
Moore tailors his talks, presentations and general presence in the schools to requests. This includes a range of hot button teen topics, including drug and alcohol use, vaping and inappropriate of dangerous social media behaviours – like sexting, cyberbullying and Snap Chat use (the social media app popular among teens where posts disappear within seconds, although police can still trace and retrieve "disappeared" posts).
The position was made possible by 2018 Town of Cochrane funding.
"Nathan has been doing a phenomenal job," said Sgt. Ryan Singleton with the Cochrane RCMP. "Kids are really excited to see Nathan – they flock around him. He's found his mark, I believe."
"We're going to be building the program to include a second member," explained Singleton, adding that funding for a second youth liaison position was approved through the 2019 town budget by council. The detachment hopes to fill this position by this September.
Singleton clarified that while there is always some overlap, Moore's role is not an enforcement one.
While education, awareness and prevention are at the forefront of Moore's role, his day to day goal is to establish trust with youth – to counter some of the stereotypes and myths that exist in media and portrayals of police as intimidating. There is also collaborations with town committees and groups, such as Citizens on Patrol.
"A lot of kids are really apprehensive to talk to us ... it's nice to go back and get approached by these kids after the fact," said Moore, who personally measures his success through the trust built with students – especially the more shy or mistrustful ones.
A common icebreaker for Moore is his side work as a sketch artist for the RCMP. Up until recent years, he was the only sketch artist in the province and the demand was high with requests coming in from detachments across Alberta. These days, the work is spread out among four other artists.
"The busiest year I've had was 44 in a year – this year I've only had one ... the force has been really flexible with letting me do this," he said, crediting Insp. Lauren Weare and the detachment as a whole for being a supportive, facilitating environment, as well as his wife who also works at the detachment, Cst. Kary Moore.
While Moore spends much of his time in high schools, he participates in events, assemblies or hosts talks and tours of the detachment with all grades, in all schools. In getting to know some of the students, it has facilitated an open dialogue – with some students reaching out to him for career advice.
"I think that's the most gratifying part ... I got an email from a 14-year-old who wants to be a cop," he said, adding that establishing the connection is a way of "humanizing the police" to youth and breaking down trust barriers.
Moore has spent 18 years with the RCMP, stationed in Cochrane since 2012. His first six years were spent working dispatch in Red Deer – what he describes as "far more stressful" than his work now – and the last 12 as an officer with the first half around Lethbridge.
Contact him through the local detachment at 403-851-8000.
