Brian Hunter, the new RCMP detachment commander for Port Alberni began working in the Valley on July 4.
Inspector Hunter comes to the Valley, most recently, from the Oceanside detachment where he was the officer in charge.
“It’s an absolute honour to be here and serving your community,” Hunter said at a July 11 council meeting.
Hunter was born and raised in Ontario with his first posting in Shawnigan Lake, B.C. in 1994 where he stayed for five years. He later moved to Telegraph Creek where he spent two years before being promoted to supervisor at the Dease Lake detachment. From there, Hunter led a team of constables at the Salmon Arm detachment.
“I took command of Dease Lake after that. I went back up there as a sergeant in command. After my two years there you’re entitled to just about anywhere you want to go in the province and I decided I wanted to go to Williams Lake to experience a policing environment that was very, very busy,” Hunter said.
“From there I was promoted to the position of officer in charge of Oceanside detachment where I’ve been, prior to this post, for seven and a half years.”
Port Alberni fit what Hunter was looking for next as a leader of a detachment. He moved to town with his wife Julie and their 19-year-old son.
“It is a highly engaged detachment, it’s a very active detachment and it’s a very vibrant community and what I mean by that is it’s a community with heart,” Hunter said.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the community on all aspects.”
karly.blats@albernivalleynews.com