By roger knox Morning Star Staff Apr 22 2007 Vernon Morning Star
An officer with 29 years experience is the community corrections liaison officer for the Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP detachment. Cpl. Mike Wallsmith has been on the job for a month. “He’ll work hand-in-hand with parole officers to effectively supervise, reintegrate and monitor local offenders on all stages of parole,” said Vernon RCMP Cpl. Henry Proce. “His tasks will include everything from release planning to the apprehension of offenders who are unlawfully at large. “One of his primary goals is community and parole staff safety from offenders residing in our area.” Wallsmith was previously the recruiting officer for the South-East district. He has extensive investigative experience in Alberta, having served in uniform and plain clothes positions in Edmonton, Stoney Plain and Bashaw detachments. Wallsmith is one of two such community corrections liaison officers in B.C. He will be stationed in Vernon but his coverage area will be huge.
The job was created in part following the home invasion death of Vernon senior William Abramenko, who died of injuries suffered after he was beaten at his home in August, 2004. Eric Fish is facing charges of murder in connection with the death of Abramenko and Jeffrey Drake of Vernon. Drake’s body was found near Adventure Bay on Aug. 10, 2004, but he had been killed weeks before that. Both murders were committed after Fish walked away from the Howard House halfway home. Fish was missing from the facility for at least six weeks. Wallsmith’s position is one of 17 newly created positions across Canada to enhance public safety by strengthening the ability of police and parole officers to work in an integrated manner.
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