Sundre RCMP Corporal Ryan Hodge said 2012 was a successful year for the Sundre detachment.
He said one of the many highlights of the year has been an increase in drug enforcement in the Sundre area. He said there were several significant seizures made throughout the year.
ìWe also wanted to continue building our relationship with youth in the community. This was a very successful initiative due to the extra effort of the detachment members,î said Hodge.
He said Const. Abe Letkeman and Const. Earl Hutchinson have spent quality time visiting with the students at Sundre High School.
ìThis makes a big difference in the community and lets the youth know that we can be approachable,î said Hodge.
He said there have also been numerous impaired drivers removed from the roads throughout this past year.
ìWe maintained a quality of service to the public that we could be proud of,î said Hodge, adding that there were a number of staff shortages causing a higher workload for the officers available.
He said the officers have been building partnerships with others in the community, which assist them with attending to the Sundre area.
ìI have been very impressed with the support and cooperation that we receive from the community and especially the other emergency services. It shows the true strength of the people and their desire to keep Sundre a safe place,î said Hodge.
Hodge said he enjoys the challenge that his job brings. He believes from his experiences as a detachment commander that the street level officers are the ìbackboneî of the police force.
ìIt is also very satisfying to see crimes being solved after the members of the detachment put in long hours and a lot of effort. At that point you understand why we do this job and that the extra effort often pays off in the end,î he said.
As for priorities for 2013, Hodge said he hopes to expand partnerships within the community aiming for more people to come forward and provide information to the officers of crimes they are aware of.
ìThe police rely heavily on the people in the community to come forward and let us know what is occurring in their neighbourhood,î he said.
ìWithout that information we cannot properly respond and plan to the needs of the area that we service.î
He said the Sundre detachment is also going to focus on crime in the rural areas and into the West Country.
ìI look forward to the next year and working with the people of the Sundre area.î
