The new Rimbey RCMP detachment commander has only been on the job for a short time but Sgt. Mark Groves is already impressed by the community support and involvement.
Groves comes to Rimbey with about 15 years of policing experience, including more than six on the City of Calgary Police Service.
“I believe strongly in the community policing approach.”
He’s already met with the Town of Rimbey mayor and council, in addition to Rural Crime Watch members and with a Citizens on Patrol group from Parkland Beach.
“What I’m seeing so far is a great deal of support for the police here.
“There’s also a pride in ownership to their community.
“I was really impressed because where I’ve worked in the past we didn’t see that kind of community involvement. It’s very good to see.
“All this helps us make crime solves easier and also helps prevent certain crimes.”
He said a solid turnout of Rural Crime Watch members at a meeting on Wednesday was an indication of support.
“These people have deep roots to the community through family and they genuinely care for it.
“So they like to work with and support us in keeping the community safe.”
Groves was posted to the Yukon for more than eight years at three detachments and at headquarters in the Yukon, where he was the division’s media spokesman.
He was a Calgary policeman for more than six years prior to that, serving more than two years on the city’s drug and organized crime sections.
He then joined the RCMP.
Groves requested his first Mountie posting be in Dawson City, Yukon. He spent three years there, then earned promotion to corporal.
A stint in Teslin, Yukon, as detachment commander followed.
A transfer to Whitehorse as a shift commander was next.
He also spent time in the drug and organized crime awareness service before a promotion to sergeant.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com