UFV recognizes RCMP Fleet Post Garage for generous donation to automotive programs

October 23, 2026 - Chilliwack, British Columbia
From: British Columbia RCMP

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On October 22, 2026, the University of the Fraser Valley honoured the RCMP Fleet section for a significant donation of vehicles for the UFV Automotive Service Technician and Automotive Collision programs.

Matthew Desai, the Pacific Region Post Garage Manager, was presented with a UFV Ripple Makers Lifetime Paddle by university representatives, in a show of appreciation.

UFV Ripple Makers is UFV’s donor recognition program, created to celebrate the impact generosity has on students, the university, and communities across the Fraser Valley and beyond. The program reflects the idea that every gift creates ripples: opening opportunities for students, strengthening teaching and learning, advancing research and innovation, and contributing to stronger communities.

In March 2025, the RCMP Pacific Region Post Garage donated 10 vehicles to the Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies for use in the Automotive Service Technician and Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing programs. Those vehicles were not marked police cars but had nevertheless been used in investigative tactics in various ways. They, however, became ideal vehicles for students to learn on. Rather than destroy them, Desai started calling up schools in the Fraser Valley with automotive programs.

UFV currently has 18 students in the Automotive Service Technician Foundation class and 18 students in the Automotive Collision class, for a total of 36 students.  Both classes use the donated vehicles for hands-on training.   The donation expands the vehicles available for hands-on training, giving students practical opportunities to apply their learning and build the technical skills and confidence they will carry into the workforce.

“Having these vehicles in our shops gives students the chance to learn by doing. They can practice diagnosis and repair on real vehicles, build confidence, and develop skills they’ll carry into their careers,” said Christopher Monkman, UFV Director of the School of Trades.  “We’re grateful to the RCMP Pacific Region Post Garage for investing in our students and for being such a valued partner in trades education.”

“The hope is to expand the donation program throughout the province to other post secondary and high schools, so that more schools like UFV, can have access to the types of resources that will help grow their automotive programs and encourage students to get into the trade,” said Desai.

Desai started in the Fleet section of the RCMP in the Fall of 2020.  In his role he oversees the research and development, design and build of all land fleet for the RCMP in the Pacific region, BC and Yukon.  He has a background in mechanics and was a service technician apprentice, “I want to emphasize that within the RCMP there are opportunities that go beyond policing.  That if you are certified in a trade, such as automotives, there are so many unique opportunities for you to apply your certification.”

This partnership enables the RCMP to connect with students and prospective employees, to grow their education and skillset so that when the they enter the trades they can have access to invaluable hands on experience preparing them for their careers.

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