Sgt. Randy Bosch is scheduled to take over command of the Osoyoos RCMP Detachment in June. He comes from a long career in homicide investigations. (Photo supplied)
When Sgt. Randy Bosch takes over as the commanding officer at the Osoyoos RCMP Detachment, likely sometime in June, it will be a major career shift.
For the past decade he has been a homicide investigator based in Prince George who has conducted investigations over the northern two thirds of the province.
His work has taken him to remote communities, sometimes by plane, sometimes by boat, and the travel is frequent.
His territory extends from 100 Mile House in the south to the Yukon border and from Haida Gwaii to Alberta.
He acknowledges the nature of the work, investigating only homicides and often travelling, is tough on officers.
“It is extremely hard,” he said. “There are not too many people that last almost 10 years in that unit.”
Coming to Osoyoos and for the first time commanding a detachment will be a major change.
“I’m so looking forward to this,” he said. “It’s unreal. I’m really enjoying talking to the members there and they keep me in the loop. All my supervisors in Penticton keep me in the loop of what’s going on there. They’re just great.”
Bosch said he’s trying to strike a balance between being overly nosy before he takes charge, but also trying to get a good idea of what’s been happening in Osoyoos, especially with the recent theft problems in the community.
Earlier in his career, he specialized in auto theft and property crime investigation before transferring from Williams Lake to Prince George to work in a federal drug section.
“I know that Osoyoos has got a theft problem right now,” he said. “I think with my background and working with the teams that are working on these files that I might have some good input on this. I did that for quite some time so property theft is no stranger to me.”
Originally from Calgary, Bosch began his RCMP career in Williams Lake in 1992, where he stayed for nearly a decade.
He started out in street work and general duty assignments before working his way up through investigations involving theft, property crime, drugs and finally homicides.
He also rose through the ranks after coming to Prince George, being promoted to corporal and later to sergeant.
Bosch said his target date to start is June 19, although that could shift as he deals with his move.
His start date originally hinged on selling his house in Prince George, but four days after he listed it, he had an offer.
His wife, Rachel Cox, will be coming with him and will work as an officer at the Oliver RCMP detachment.
Bosch is a boating enthusiast and he plans to bring his boat down to Osoyoos as well.
He’s not a complete stranger to Osoyoos, having visited in the past, including following up on files that brought him to the South Okanagan.
He replaces Sgt. Kevin Schur, who was transferred to a Kelowna-based leadership training job at the end of March. Originally Schur was to have been transferred last year, but that transfer was delayed.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
