2 girls take over Alberta RCMP command for a day in Kids with Cancer experience

Two young girls experienced a day of policing with the Alberta RCMP, fulfilling a dream thanks to a partnership with the Kids with Cancer Society. Ten-year-old Maya Ferguson and 11-year-old Haley Nedeljak embraced different aspects of law enforcement on Monday.

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It was super cool, it wasn’t even nerve-wracking it just felt normal.

Their day included piloting drones, operating the bomb disposal robot at the RCMP's hangar at the Edmonton International Airport, and a ride in an RCMP helicopter. "It was super cool, it wasn’t even nerve-wracking it just felt normal," said Nedeljak. Ferguson added, "At first I was a bit nervous of taking off but once I got up it was beautiful and very nice."

The duo were appointed as co-commanders of the Alberta RCMP for the day. Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux, the commanding officer of the Albert RCMP, called the experience "incredible to watch." He noted the difficulty of not thinking about what the children and their families have endured, but seeing their smiles made it great.

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At first I was a bit nervous of taking off but once I got up it was beautiful and very nice.

The Kids with Cancer Society's dream experience program grants unique opportunities for children battling cancer. "Unfortunately a cancer diagnosis can take away a lot of opportunities from children," said Bailey Karlstrom, the family services coordinator with the society. "So being able to give them this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it’s something they can look back on and be like, ‘Wow how amazing it is I got to do this.'"

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It’s incredible to watch.

Next, the co-commanding officers were scheduled to be special guests at an RCMP graduation ceremony in Regina. Every surprise was turning into a core memory for the girls, with Nedeljak stating, "It’s just really awesome because not many people get to do this."

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It’s difficult not to think about what these children and their families have gone through, but then to see the smile on their faces today is great.