Innisfail’s top cop has hung up his Stetson.
Staff Sgt. Lyle Marianchuk, 52, a 30-year veteran of the RCMP, said the timing was right to move on to a new career.
Starting Nov. 14 Marianchuk will begin work with the Government of Alberta’s Agriculture and Rural Development department as a branch manager in the regulatory services department. While his official final day as detachment commander is Nov. 13, Marianchuk has taken a well-deserved two-week vacation.
The new job came open towards the end of August and Marianchuk applied for it quickly. He interviewed in mid-September and was offered the job by early October.
“It was a job that doesn’t come open very often,” Marianchuk said. “It was a perfect fit for me.”
Marianchuk spent his entire policing career in Alberta, starting with his initial posting to Hanna in May, 1982. He has also served in Waterton National Park, Taber, Vauxhall, Morinville, St. Albert, Rocky Mountain House, Elk Point and Innisfail, in general duty, traffic duty, one year as a school liaison officer and as detachment commander in Elk Point and Innisfail.
The Watson, Sask. native said a lot of things in his new job parallel what he was responsible for during his 13 years as detachment commander, including training, developing partnerships and working with stakeholders.
With his new position based out of Red Deer, Marianchuk and his family: wife Vicki, daughter Amanda, 22, and son Mike, 19, will remain in Innisfail, which he called a “proactive” and “pro-police” community. Mike currently plays Junior A hockey in Fort McMurray.
During his time in Innisfail, Marianchuk said he had the opportunity to work alongside a number of great people, including working with groups including the restorative justice committee, victim services, Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.), and as a coach with Innisfail Minor Hockey and Innisfail Minor Baseball.
“It’s a very community-orientated town … a very friendly town,” he said. “It’s a very safe town.”
The search for Marianchuk’s replacement is currently underway. Until a successor is named, the detachment commander duties will be rotated between Cpl. Jeff Hildebrant and Cpl. A.J. Mand.
While admitting he is leaving with mixed feelings, Marianchuk said he felt it was time for a change and is looking forward to the new challenges of a new job.
“In the end of it, what people and what kids will remember of you is what you’ve put into the community as a police officer,” he said. “Not only what you did in uniform but what you did outside of uniform … (by) just being a regular contributor of the community.”
