Fourth transfer took us to Selkirk Manitoba for stints on Highway Patrol and the Rural Detachment in 1972.  While in Selkirk,  our two children were born. Jennifer in 1972 and our son John in 1974.  We spent 6 years in Selkirk.  These were the greatest years to date.  Being an RCMP officer was something, but, being a Dad was even better.

 

Fifth transfer took our family to The Pas, Manitoba in 1978 with thoughts of promotions upon arrival.  But a freeze was put on and promotions delayed.  While in the Pas I had positions of Highway Patrol, Town Detachment and Rural Detachment where I finally got promoted to Cpl. in 1980.

 

Sixth move took us to Reston Manitoba where I took charge of my first Detachment Commanders position in 1981.  Charlotte was still teaching, and our kids became involved with local sporting and community activities.  I began refereeing hockey as part of my exercise program, and playing pool too.  Our members did such a wonderful job crime fighting that Div HQ's decided to close the detachment. So that prompted our seventh move to Thompson, Manitoba in 1987.

 

 A new position was opened up, Crime Prevention/Police Community Relations.  I was the section's only member.  Being a new position I was given a lot of latitude, basically assisting Detachments with various programs and  being a go between of the various Commanders and Municipal and Band Councils.  This was probably my most relaxing  tour of duty while in the Force.  Wherever there was an airstrip or road in the Northern part of Manitoba I was on it.

 

My last transfer was to Shoal Lake Manitoba  in 1989 and a promotion to the lofty rank of Sgt. it was a Detachment of 3 H.P. members and 4 Rural members. .

As time went by, the Detachment increased in size with the forming of Consolidated Detachments.

That simply meant reducing NCO i/c's and having one NCO i/c to be in charge of a larger group of members and units.  Such was the case with our unit.  It was named the Yellowhead Detachment with a combined membership of 36 members. This posting was the longest in my career, 13 1/2 years.

 

I did finish on  a positive note after 34 years, 19 days of service, with my best friend by my side in April 2002.

 

We now live in Brandon Manitoba, where we are full time Grandparents to Quinn age 8 and Colby age 6, and loving every moment of it.  We travel more and enjoy Cruising in the Caribbean in those cold winter months.

 

Retirement is great and the only one I have to answer to now is my best friend.