At age four, around the same time he first saw SA国际影视传媒淐opsSA国际影视传媒� on TV, Mathieu D'Aigle knew he wanted to be a police officer.

Now 18, the Grade 12 Allain St. Cyr studentSA国际影视传媒檚 lifelong dream is one step closer to becoming a reality.

D'Aigle was selected over six other applicants from the territory to attend the SA国际影视传媒檚 National Engagement Week at Depot, the forceSA国际影视传媒檚 training academy located in Regina, Sask.

Next week, D'Aigle will join 31 other participants from across the country at the annual camp from March 25 to March 29. The event offers young people interested in pursuing policing as a career an up-close look what it takes to become a Mountie. Applicants were chosen based on academic success, their interest in policing and their community engagement.

After filling out SA国际影视传媒渕any, many documents,SA国际影视传媒� during the application process, D'Aigle, received the message heSA国际影视传媒檇 been waiting for: a congratulatory text message from a Yellowknife recruiter earlier this month.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a great feeling,SA国际影视传媒� said D'Aigle when Yellowknifer caught up with the North Bay, Ont. born student at Allain St. Cyr last week. SA国际影视传媒淚t feels amazing. I feel very honoured to be representing the NWT."

When he gets off a plane in Regina next week, D'Aigle said it will be straight to business -- driving simulations, drills, firearms practice, self-defence workshops and in-class law lessons.

SA国际影视传媒淚f I were to say I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 a little nervous I would be lying,SA国际影视传媒� said D'Aigle.

He admitted the same when thinking ahead to the prospect of policing, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 part of the job, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a risk ISA国际影视传媒檓 willing to take because it is what I want to do,SA国际影视传媒� said D'Aigle.

After completing the engagement camp, D'Aigle said he plans to apply to Depot to become, ideally, a front-line officer with the NWT .

SA国际影视传媒淚f I do end up going to Depot (full time), ISA国际影视传媒檓 actually going to request to see if I can be sent back to Yellowknife as a new constable,SA国际影视传媒� said D'Aigle.

While part of the appeal in policing is bringing criminals to justice and bringing closure to families affected by crime, D'Aigle said he's largely driven by a desire to give back to the community and to help others.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like the idea of just being able to help somebody who needs the help,SA国际影视传媒� he said, even if itSA国际影视传媒檚 as simple as offering someone gas or a ride home while on duty.

SA国际影视传媒淥r just help (residents) solve situations without violence SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 not always about getting out a gun. You have to use your words and communicate with people to get them to trust you, and get them to realize who police really are," said D'Aigle. SA国际影视传媒�(Police aren't) always chasing bad guys, right?SA国际影视传媒�

D'Aigle, who has volunteered with Yellowknife recruiters and in-school program providers, said the experience will SA国际影视传媒渙pen up a bigger window,SA国际影视传媒� into the force to SA国际影视传媒渞eally live a week as a cadet in training.SA国际影视传媒�

Cpl. Charmaine Parenteau, a recruiter with the Yellowknife , told Yellowknifer her detachment is "very proud" of D'Aigle' selection.

"D'Aigle is very enthusiastic about becoming a member of the and has displayed his interest in this career choice in multiple ways," stated Parenteau in an email. "I think it is so rewarding that we have the opportunity to support someone's dreams to come true and when he comes back to the community we are all looking forward to hear about it."

D'Aigle offered advice to young people in Yellowknife and across the territory interested in a similar experience, and a path in policing.

SA国际影视传媒淕o for it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淕et informed. Know what you want and what it takes to be in the . ItSA国际影视传媒檚 demanding but itSA国际影视传媒檚 rewarding at the end.SA国际影视传媒�

Once this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 National Engagement Week wraps up, D'Aigle has his sights set on another training camp in July. will host two programs this summer: the Depot Youth Week and Pre-Cadet Training Program in the summer.