The RCMP are once again on the hunt for new detachment commander for Sicamous.
Sgt. Scott West, who has been with the local detachment for about six months, has been selected to succeed Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane as detachment commander in Salmon Arm. His promotion is expected to take place either in June or July.
West said he’d planned on applying for the Salmon Arm job, but didn’t expect it to happen as soon as it did.
“It came open right after I got here and I went, ‘Oh really, you’ve got to be kidding me!’ I figured Staff Sgt. Keane would have been there for a little while yet, but he got a job in Windsor, Ont. with the RCMP,” said West, adding that if it wasn’t a promotional move, he likely would have continued working in Sicamous.
“I love it here. It’s great,” he said. “There are some trials and tribulations, yeah, there are some tough questions, but I’ve never been one to shy away from tough questions.”
West says Cpl. J.R. Lechky will be the acting commander in Sicamous until his replacement is named.
“I am confident that he is up to the job and will receive the full support of the South East District in getting the job done,” says West.
Mayor Terry Rysz has only positive things to say about the sergeant and his departure.
“He is still completely and totally committed to Sicamous and I think, at the end of the day, with Sgt. West moving on to Salmon Arm… I think that’s going to be a benefit for Sicamous in the long run because now we have a sergeant in Salmon Arm very familiar with the operations of Sicamous,” said Rysz.
While RCMP members are not required to live in the community they serve, Rysz would like to see West’s replacement reside in the community.
“Right now, only two from the detachment are living in Sicamous. Hopefully we can convince the new sergeant who moves into our area to move into Sicamous instead of Salmon Arm and be more hands-on here.”