After a 34-year career in the RCMP, Sgt. Ken Harrington from the Oliver detachment is riding off into the sunset.
Harrington told Town council last week that he’s retiring next March. He also said the detachment will soon undergo staffing changes.
He noted they will be losing one member to the federal organized crime unit, and another (Cst. Matt Andreasen) due to a transfer to Edmonton.
This will put the Oliver detachment down to five members, Harrington said. However, he pointed out that Andreasen’s position will be filled within the next 30 days.
The sergeant also informed council that First Nations officer Cst. Sue Harper is being transferred to Creston. Her position in Oliver will be filled by another First Nations liaison officer.
In terms of overall personnel, Harrington said the Oliver detachment is understaffed by four members.
“We could certainly use four more members, but that won’t happen in my time (here).”
Reporting on local crime, Harrington said a couple of “ne’er-do-wells” (troublemakers) have put down roots in the Oliver area, which has caused a “crime blip” in the community.
He added that general investigation officers are working on a couple of “problem people” in the area.
“There is an active drug trade in the community,” Harrington acknowledged.
The commander said that members are also actively engaged in enforcing speeds on Tucelnuit Drive, Black Sage Road and Fairview Road.
Harrington admitted that because the RCMP are a “people-friendly agency,” they tolerate drivers exceeding the speed limit to a degree (depending on how fast they are travelling).
“There is no shortage of violators,” the officer pointed out.
He joked by saying that some members of council exceed the limit.
Harrington said they have developed a “safe school” protocol pertaining to lock-down procedures during emergencies.
“If there ever is an incident, our schools should be safe as far as we can make them.”
Councillor Maureen Doerr raised a concern about the business community not being familiar with new RCMP officers in town.
For example, Doerr cited two incidents downtown where officers asked her who she was during their investigations.
“It brought home the fact that nobody is aware of each other . . . it (the relationship) needs to be a little bit tighter.”
Harrington suggested having councillors “adopt” an officer and “walk the beat” in the business community. (This is what Harrington and Mayor Ron Hovanes did last year.)
Doerr said this is a great idea.
Harrington said he will match several officers with councillors after the municipal election.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
