Inspector welcomes role

Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 09, 2010 12:00 PM

Reg Burgess is happy to be in Vernon. The Vernon RCMP inspector is settling into his role as the detachment commander, having taken over in the fall from Steve McVarnock, who left to head the RCMP’s division in Nunavut. “Things have gone really well,” said Burgess, a 28-year member. “I stepped into a detachment that Steve has in very good shape. There’s very good personnel here, there’s really not a whole lot of issues I have to worry about. “I’m more concerned now with maintaining what he’s already done and building on it.” That means working on crime prevention and targeting prolific offenders. “I want to deal a little bit more effectively with the people that cause the greatest harm in the community,” said Burgess. “We already have an excellent working relationship with the social support agencies, the organizations and business community. I want to maintain that and keep it going.”

In January, Burgess will host his first community consultation session. This is where the RCMP invite key members of the community to come and discuss some of the issues that the community would like to see the RCMP working on. McVarnock’s meeting last January led to concerns about road safety, an issue the Vernon detachment has put a great deal of effort into in 2009, and will carry that on in the new year. “Road safety is a high strategic priority for us,” said Burgess. “We’ll continue to look at that.” Nationally and provincially, the RCMP’s image has taken a large hit over the past year, particularly the scathing report following the inquest into the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski at the Vancouver Airport. Locally, Burgess believes the RCMP has the support and backing of the community. “Absolutely we do, and we’re going to work to keep that support,“ said Burgess. “What we keep trying to concentrate on and talk about in-house is to just remain professional.“As long as we’re solid and professional in town, we’re going to keep getting the local support. We’re trying to do the best job we can.”

Helping them to do the best job they can is the City of Vernon RCMP Safe Communities Unit which, like the detachment, underwent a change at the top late in the year. Ewen Harvie took over as manager of the unit from Terry Pakenham, who stepped down after 10 years with the unit, right from its inception. “Ewen is similar to myself as he’s stepping into a well-run unit and building on it,” said Burgess. “He’s a good guy for that job with great experience and a great background.” With the RCMP fiscal year ending in April, Burgess is looking forward to his first full year at the helm. “I’m not fielding too many complaints or concerns other than what you’d expect we have to deal with daily,” said Burgess. “I’m a happy camper.”