Vanderhoof RCMP has a new detachment commander and she says she loves the different terrains in and around the district, country living, and the distinct culture present in the community.
Staff Sergeant Laurie Clarkson replaced outgoing detachment commander Rodney Guthrie this past month.
Clarkson started her career in a small town in Saskatchewan, where she worked in the rural community along with the First Nations there. She then went on to a limited duration post to La Loche, after which she went to Surrey, B.C., where Clarkson worked for half her career.
She worked in Richmond for a bit which is the detachment she was last posted in before Vanderhoof.
Clarkson’s love for country living was sparked again when she came up to Williams Lake in 2017 for the wildfires, and said that being around a small community again increased her desire to live rural.
“This year the opportunity for Vanderhoof came, so I jumped at it,” Clarkson told the Express.
Even though she has been in town for a couple of weeks, Clarkson said she loves cruising around the district to find lakes and wildlife.
For Clarkson, her vision in Vanderhoof revolves around establishing ties and communication with both Vanderhoof and Saik’uz First Nation, as well as the outlying areas.
“My role will be to continue leading. Continue what Rod (Guthrie) has done. Also continuing the strategies that have already been established between the North District RCMP and communities here, as well as identifying other initiatives.”
“If there are new concerns that come up, we tackle that. Case and point, COVID. The whole world is dealing with COVID and we hadn’t dealt with this in 100 years. So understanding how to deal with that, what needs to come out of it in terms of new initiatives. In essence, building with the communities and their leadership on various initiatives to address the issues coming up,” Clarkson said.
In terms of hobbies, the staff sergeant likes to play different sports and read. And music wise, Clarskon loves Country.
“When I came up on my house hunting trip, I pulled into 100 Mile House and the first thing I heard on the radio was Country. And I was like I’m back!”
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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