CALGARY — Calgary’s police chief says a new agreement to send officers to help out around the world pays tribute to an RCMP officer killed while doing just that in Haiti.
Chief Rick Hanson signed an agreement Wednesday to allow his officers to take part in the RCMP’s International Police Peace Operations Program.
The former head of that program, Chief Supt. Doug Coates, died in the earthquake while serving with the United Nations on Jan. 12 in Port-au-Prince.
“I like to think that signing this agreement today is a tribute to him and his commitment,” Hanson said.
Coates helped the Calgary office set up the program before his death, including emphasizing the importance of peer support for officers who decide to take part, said Hanson.
Supt. Paul Young, RCMP program director, said 250 officers will deploy this year, double the number from previous one. Two officers from Calgary will get the chance to go to Sudan.