Portage la Prairie RCMP has a new inspector. Paul Peddle originally hails from Newfoundland and describes his journey here as a long trek across Canada.

"I was posted there (Newfoundland) for 20 years and I did seven different postings there," says Peddle. "So, I did six different detachments. And I recently worked for three years with the Criminal Operations Branch in Newfoundland, Labrador. So, I left a few weeks ago and made the long trek with my family to Portage la Prairie. I arrived here about two weeks ago and am excited to be here."

He says the Portage detachment team here and in Central Plains has been so great.

"They've been so welcoming to me and my family," adds Peddle. "The members there have been very, very good to get me all settled and straightened away with my new job. I couldn't ask for a better group of people, and the community has been great as well. The first impression has been very strong."

Peddle says part of his job is always looking for ways to improve and make the district as best as it can for everyone.

"Right now, I'm just sitting back and in a number of meetings, and just seeing how things are working here at the unit," continues Peddle. "So far, I'm extremely pleased with the work the members are doing. We are down from our resources, but that doesn't stop the members there. They're working extremely hard. I'll just continue to watch that and look for ways that we can improve and make things better for the members and for the people in the communities here that we serve."

He notes COVID is playing a factor in the operation of the detachment, and adds he's hoping for positive things here in the near future, so we can move away from that and get back to our personal side of things where he can meet more of the people in the community face to face.