The Grande Prairie RCMP is welcoming Steve McLeod as Superintendent.
McLeod boasts a quarter-century of policing experience in British Columbia, spending a good chunk of his time working in the plain clothes, drug enforcement, and major crimes sectors.
When it comes to his role in Grande Prairie, the Superintendent indicates he is well aware of the policing transition, and says he will be largely focused on maintaining a quality police service, as long as the RCMP remains the police of jurisdiction.
“I came here eyes wide open knowing my role is to facilitate this transition, that is my goal, that is the role, often when you come to a detachment, you’re focused on maybe building new programs or initiatives- I want to do those things, but my primary goal is to look after the members who are affected by the transition, to continue to provide an effective police service, and make sure that during the transition, we don’t have any impact on public safety,” he says.
The RCMP to GPPS transition has been underway for some time now, and with some of the GPPS’ first uniformed officers hitting the streets and beginning operations, McLeod says maintaining a healthy partnership with the new agency is a significant piece in ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible.
“They are just rolling into the detachment now, and our goal is, now that we have boots on the ground, is to continue to develop a plan and work in consultation with the Grande Prairie Police Service, to see how best we can work together,” he says. “I would like to work with the Grande Prairie Police Service to enhance that as we transition.”
McLeod has just finished up his first month in Grande Prairie and says he is excited to continue working with the GPPS to maintain public safety.
