SUNDRE – The local RCMP detachment’s acting commander who earlier this month started his new position said two officers have been temporarily added to the department’s roster for the summer months.
A veteran officer with some 23 years of policing experience in a variety of different roles, Sgt. Randy Poon was himself brought into Sundre on an interim basis to assume command while Sgt. Trent Sperlie is away on leave.
“They were looking for a sergeant to fill in,” Poon told the Albertan on June 21 during a phone interview.
“The detachment was shorthanded, so they tapped me and asked me if I wanted to come out,” said the sergeant, adding he was happy to oblige.
There were also two temporary members added to the detachment’s roster to offer additional help throughout the summer while K-Division looks for permanent members to transfer to Sundre, he said.
Originally from Edmonton, the 56-year-old’s first of eight posts over the years was in Lac la Biche.
“My uniform days were in Lac la Biche and Airdrie rural,” he said. “And then the rest of my posts were in plain clothes units either in Edmonton or Calgary.”
His last posting was with a special unit in Calgary called the Internet Childhood Exploitation (ICE) team.
“I looked after the operations as well as assisted in some of the investigations,” he said.
So, coming to serve as Sundre’s interim commander was certainly a switch of the proverbial gears, but one that Poon enjoys.
“That’s the fantastic thing about this career, is that you really never know where it’s going to take you,” he said, adding police work is ideal for anybody who enjoys variety.
“It can provide a lot of variety, depending on what you want,” he said.
Asked what his priorities will be during his time in Sundre, the sergeant expressed a desire to focus not only on keeping open the lines of communication with the community, but also increasing the RCMP presence in terms of community engagement.
The two temporary members who will help cover the summer will also provide additional help on the enforcement side of things for traffic issues as well as criminal matters, he added.
“That’s kind of my intent in the interim here,” he said. “I don’t think that’s any different than what Trent probably believes in.”
While Poon has enjoyed his career in policing and discovered an interest for it back in his 20s when he served as a military reservist, his path was not always set in stone.
Previously working in the oil patch as a production accountant in downtown Calgary was certainly more lucrative, but the job was not as personally fulfilling. By the time he was in his 30s, Poon decided to pursue the dream that for years had been lingering in the back of his mind.
“It’s a philosophy of, ‘what do I want to do’ versus ‘what I have to do,’” he said. “Then you have a little bit more motivation.”
Responding to a question about what keeps him bouncing out of bed in the morning, he replied, “The folks I work with; it’s the whole idea of what policing represents, too.”
He also praised the local members that he’d had a chance to meet and added he enjoys interacting with the community with plans to participate in local social events when possible.
As for where he might find himself next following his time in Sundre, he candidly confessed not knowing for certain.
“I’m not sure, to be honest with you,” he said.
Depending on available positions, however, Poon said he might given the opportunity return to work with one of the units that comprise the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, which includes ICE.
“At this point in time, it’s kind of a question mark I guess,” he said.
