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Police celebrate their volunteers

Community members provide a value service
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Chris Bear addresses volunteers at luncheon. (Photo by Cari Lougheed)

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Inspector Chris Bear acknowledged and celebrated the valuable volunteer work that our community members have provided over the past couple years.

A small number of the very many volunteers attended a luncheon Sept. 28 in which Inspector Bear spoke about their valuable role.

“Over the past few years, we have had some changes and challenges with the volunteer programs that are supported by the RCMP,” he said. “COVID-19 has had significant impacts on the ability for many of our programs to run. Additionally, the auxiliary constable program has been in limbo for some time and it was recently announced that this volunteer program will no longer be used by the RCMP. In prior years, the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP has been strongly supported by this program. Many of the volunteers in the auxiliary constable program volunteered hundreds of hours each year. This commitment to our communities was amazing and we thank our former auxiliary constables. You made a difference.”

Bear went on to express his appreciation and gratitude to the volunteers on the former Community Policing Advisory Committee, members of the newly-formed Cowichan Community Policing and Engagement Society, and the volunteers with Speed Watch, Block Watch, Restorative Justice and Cowichan Crime Stoppers.

“These programs and all the volunteers’ efforts play a huge role in the level of community safety and the quality of service the BC RCMP are able to provide to the Cowichan Valley,” he noted. “Thank you all for taking the time to give to your community.”