WESTLOCK – Area municipal leaders will get input into who’s hired to be the next commander of the Westlock RCMP Detachment.
At Westlock County council’s Jan. 10 meeting, reeve Christine Wiese noted that she has been in contact with RCMP higher-ups who are looking to include a rep from the county and Town of Westlock in the process to replace Staff Sgt. Al Baird, whose nearly five-year tenure in Westlock ended in mid-December. While the local input won’t be the sole determining factor in who gets hired, Wiese said this at least gives them “a voice.”
“This is kind of a new way of doing things in terms of involving small councils in the recruitment process,” explained county CAO Tony Kulbisky. “Typically, they’ll have four or five candidates that are internal transfers — folks who want to move to this area. What the committee involvement will be is to basically meet with these candidates and see who would be good fits. And they (‘K’ Division) will consider the feedback from the municipal councils in the final determination for which candidate is successful.”
While Wiese, along with Kulbisky will represent the county, a decision agreed to by a 6-0 vote of council (Coun. Jared Stitsen was absent) with Coun. Stuart Fox-Robinson saying, “I think the reeve, as the chief elected official, should be involved”, mayor Ralph Leriger and CAO Simone Wiley will represent the Town of Westlock.
And while county councillors were enthusiastic about the process, they did vote 6-0 to have administration ensure they won’t be on the hook for any additional costs surrounding the interview process — Wiese noted ‘K’ Division had asked the municipalities to share minimal costs on travel expenses and meals for the candidates. Kulbisky, noting he had been previously involved in a similar recruitment process, said any costs for meals or travel should be borne by the RCMP as they “ … may have misspoken on this issue, because those should be ‘K’ Division costs, not a cost for the municipalities.”
“Irregardless on whose cost it is, why would it come back to anyone? They’re taking a promotion. If you want a promotion, buy your own sandwich after your interview. You don’t go to a job application and (say) I’m not going to come for a job unless I get a meal after … come on, think about it,” said deputy reeve Ray Marquette.
Baird, 58, headed the 12-member Westlock RCMP Detachment from February 2018 to Dec. 16, 2022, and moved to the Parkland RCMP Detachment to become one of two watch commanders. Baird, who counts over 35 years in the RCMP, previously said the process to find his replacement, who will also hold the rank of Staff Sgt., had started although a successor wouldn’t be named until the first quarter of 2023.
As it stands, the detachment remains short one constable, while Corporals Riley Sutherland and Brad Schram, who Baird said are “very good, experienced members” are sharing in running the detachment, with help from District “if they need it.”
