The Municipality of North Cowichan has announced Staff Sgt. Chris Bear is the new Officer in Command (OIC) and will be promoted to Inspector of the Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP detachment.
He replaces Superintendent Ray Carfantan, who was the Officer in Charge since October 2013.
A panel consisting of several senior RCMP representatives, Acting Mayor Kate Marsh, City of Duncan Mayor Phil Kent, and Calvin Swustus, Justice Coordinator for Cowichan Tribes, held interviews last Thursday and Bear was chosen as the successful applicant.
Bear was promoted internally from the role of Operations for the detachment, where he was second in command. The 24-year veteran of the RCMP has made the Cowichan Valley his home since 2006. During this time, he has held several positions within the Duncan/North Cowichan detachment as well as Aboriginal Policing Services in the Victoria Island District Headquarters.
Prior to coming to Vancouver Island, Bear spent 12 years in several different detachments throughout the Yukon Territory.
“Staff Sergeant Bear understands policing in the Cowichan community and we are thrilled to have an officer of his calibre as Inspector of the Duncan/North Cowichan detachment,” said Jon Lefebure, Mayor of North Cowichan.
“My family and I are extremely happy to be given this opportunity,” noted Bear. “There is some amazing work being done in collaboration with the community and I look forward to building upon those successes.”