Cst. Mandeep Atwal

RCMP Recruiter Cst. Mandeep Atwal had many dreams growing up, but he had no idea that his passion for football would in time create the crucial foundation for his future job as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The son of new immigrants from India, Mandeep and his younger sister were born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia and graduated from North Delta Senior Secondary.

“I decided at a young age that I wanted to be a police officer, but then I started to play sports and that became my primary focus”, said Cst. Mandeep Atwal. That focus was rewarded with a four-year football scholarship to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.  After he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree he worked out with several US and Canadian professional football league teams until the Toronto Argonauts signed him in June 2000.  He played in the pre-season before he got hurt and was released. And though he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos the next year, he didn’t stay with the team through the 2001 season. But that was okay because the CFL’s loss was soon to become the RCMP’s gain.

“My dad encouraged me to write the Corrections Services entrance exam before I left to play for Toronto.  He drove me out to the exam site in Mission and even stayed with me while I wrote the test,” says Cst. Atwal.   And while he thinks his Dad was just trying to help keep his son’s options open, it ended up being the right decision.   Mandeep worked as a Federal Correctional Officer and Parole Officer before for fulfilling his original dream of being a police officer.  He was accepted by the RCMP in November 2002 and received his badge on May 20, 2003.

“It was a smooth transition from football to policing.  Leadership, dedication, teamwork and respect are all part of football and you need to use those same skills in policing”.

Since then he has worked as a police officer in Prince George and Surrey doing everything from general duty policing, foot beat in Whalley, to working as a marihuana investigator, and a trainer for new members.  And it is somewhat ironic that a guy who was once the focus of sports scouts, is now “scouting” for the best Canada has to offer in his current role as a proactive recruiter.

“I have had a number of great experiences,” says Cst. Atwal.  “Every day is different.  I like being a role model, especially to the youth.  I have been able to offer guidance to lots of young people, who have come back to thank me for the influence I have had on their lives”.

Cst. Atwal is now one half of a modern day ‘Law and Order’ couple as his wife Anita is a corporate lawyer.  She is extremely supportive, as is his family who are proud to know he is living his dream.

“A career with the RCMP is nowhere near ordinary. If you want to make a difference, never be bored, take on challenges, and be a part of the best police force in the world, then the RCMP is for you!”