Trevor Absolon has worked and volunteered in variety of jobs in life, from English teacher to antique dealer to volunteering as an RCMP auxiliary constable. He can now add coin designer to the list.
Absolon’s design was chosen for a new coin that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the RCMP auxiliary constable program in Canada. He was presented with the first minted coin during a ceremony Thursday at the West Shore RCMP detachment.
The coin depicts male and female constables of varying ages and cultural backgrounds performing a variety of tasks, including helping senior citizens and children, riding in the bike patrol and assisting in traffic control.
“I’ve always had a passion for coins and it’s something I wanted to contribute to,” said Absolon, 42, who has a day job as a bylaw enforcement officer with the Songhees First Nation. He has volunteered as an auxiliary constable since 2011.
The coin he designed will be distributed to the 2,000 current auxiliary constables across the country.
Auxiliary constables are volunteers, who complete a comprehensive training program and volunteer a minimum of 160 hours every year.
In creating his design, Absolon looked for ideas to highlight the connection to communities that auxiliary constables create. He recalled an incident when RCMP officers were trying to calm a mother with mental health issues, and Absolon was needed to keep her baby safe. He took stickers out of a pouch on his body armour and helped get the child away from a potentially dangerous situation.
“What more could you do as a volunteer? That was truly an awesome day,” he said. “I hope people look at this [coin] and get involved.”
Commemorative coins have a tradition in the military,said RCMP Chief Supt. Randy Wilson.
Originally called “challenge coins,” they were designed to highlight the unit in which a volunteer served. Upon returning from serving abroad, a member would present the coin to other officers and, in return, would be bought a round of beer.
Absolon says his experience volunteering as an auxiliary constable has convinced him that he wants to pursue policing as a career. People he’s volunteered with see him as an ideal candidate to join the RCMP.
“He’s fantastic,” said Cole Brewer, the auxiliary program co-ordinator at the West Shore detachment. “He’ll do well in any role.”
