Unit manager moving on

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 05, 2009 12:00 PM

The words of one of the wisest men he ever knew rang in Terry Pakenham’s head as he wrestled with his decision to step down as manager of the Vernon RCMP Safe Communities Unit.“My dad used to tell me, ‘it takes a very wise man to know when to walk away,’ and that’s what I’m doing,” said Pakenham, who announced this week he was leaving the position he has held since retiring from the RCMP in 1999.“It was a difficult decision to make. I’ve put a lot of energy into the last 10 years. Walking away is not an easy thing to do.”After 25 years with the RCMP, the last 13 in forensic identification, Pakenham took early retirement from the force to become manager of what then was the Crime Prevention Unit.

In 2000, Pakenham instituted a name change to the Vernon RCMP Safe Communities Unit to better reflect the mandate of the unit. Under Pakenham’s guidance, more than 38 programs have been developed for the benefit of all North Okanagan residents. They include Crime Stoppers, Citizens On Patrol, Speed Watch, Restorative Justice Advisory Committee, Auto Crime Prevention, Emergency Planning and Partners in Action Committee. In his spare time, Pakenham has served in an advisory capacity to local non-profit organizations.

Over the last nine years, the Safe Communities Unit has grown from a staff of three to seven, and developed a volunteer base of more than 100.“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity of managing some fantastic people, some people who have unlimited skill sets and talent,” said Pakenham. “The other part, which is just as integral to me, is my volunteer base. “These people put in 12 to 14,000 hours a year to the safety of this community. It’s been a real honour to manage those people. Their dedication and commitment to what we do is just unbelievable.”

Pakenham is returning to the RCMP in a part-time capacity to help the forensic identification unit. The move will allow him to stay involved with policing, and spend more time with his wife, Jean, who is also a valuable member of the Safe Communities Unit.Vernon RCMP Insp. Reg Burgess said Vernon is losing one of its leaders in community policing.“However, we’re very happy to be able to utilize his past expertise and substantial skills in the identification unit,” said Burgess. “We look forward to this new association.” Pakenham will begin his part-time duties with the forensic identification unit on Nov. 6.