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Community welcomes liaison police officer

RCMP Constable Tim Venselaar ready to begin work
Kyle Wells

Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation welcomed its new liaison RCMP officer, Constable Tim Venselaar, with a community barbecue, drumming and an introduction by Chief Clint Williams on Monday, August 22.

Venselaar has been in the Powell River region for about a month now and came most recently from a two year posting in Bella Coola. Venselaar worked extensively with the first nations community in Bella Coola, on both the community and enforcement level, and feels that experience puts him in a good position for the work he is starting in Sliammon.

“[It] definitely gave me the experience to pursue this job,” said Venselaar. “Very similar type of policing, very similar type of community work.”

Working with youth is an aspect of his job that Venselaar likes to focus on. He enjoys working with youth and has already planned a workshop for Thursday, August 25 on drug and alcohol awareness.

“To me that’s the biggest [goal], involving the 18 and under crowd and getting them to know police in a positive manner,” said Venselaar. “I’ve had pretty good success with that in Bella Coola and I want to continue that here. Get out and play hockey or soccer with them, do some workshops.”

The biggest challenge facing a police officer in a first nations community is being accepted, said Venselaar. He has been delighted by how open and welcoming people in the community have been and said that remembering everyone’s name has so far been the hardest part of the job. He also said that becoming familiar with the culture and traditions of the people that he is working with is another key to the job.

For his part Venselaar said that he considers himself to be personable, a trait that comes in handy for his job. He asks that everyone call him by his first name and is always open to anybody coming to the Sliammon RCMP detachment with any problems or concerns.

“Really, actually very nice people here,” said Venselaar. “I’ve been very impressed with the band. It’s a very nice community, such a beautiful setting too.”

Verna Francis, Tla’Amin justice worker, said that having a police officer in the community makes her role a lot easier, because he is there to talk to people and to take care of problems. She said that Venselaar has arrived with a good attitude and has been proactive about getting involved with the community.

“He’s just ready for everything and anything in our community and wants to get involved in all the departments,” said Francis. “He’s jumped in with two feet already, as soon as he came in. He’s eager to get going and working with our community.”

Venselaar is available at the Sliammon RCMP detachment on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 pm and Thursdays from 2 to 4 pm or by phone through the Powell River RCMP detachment at 604.485.6255.