Police promote within detachment

Rod Wiebe has been named Powell River RCMP’s latest staff sergeant.

Wiebe, 44, has led the detachment since April while the RCMP looked for Andy Brinton’s replacement. Brinton left the Powell River detachment this spring to take on the job of chief of the Oak Bay Police Department in Victoria.

Despite the fact that Wiebe had spent the last three years working with Andy Brinton in Powell River, the RCMP had to go through its hiring protocol.

“We’re such a big organization and we have to follow the steps,” said Wiebe, “and in this instance it worked great for me.”

“They’re really big shoes to step into,” said Wiebe. “Andy left the detachment in a great position and I learned a lot working underneath him. I think I can continue to bring that same level of service to Powell River.”

Wiebe said that a big advantage he has taking this promotion is his familiarity with the community.

“A lot of times in the RCMP people are coming in and have to learn the community and cultural issues, but with me being able to step into Andy’s position I already know that,” he said. “I’ve worked closely with all the stakeholders in local governments and that will continue on.”

Wiebe said that Powell River, with its low crime rate, is one of the best places he has been posted and he is very glad that he was selected for the job because now he will be able to stay.

He added that this promotion is important for him also because his father was also an RCMP staff sergeant who ran a detachment.

“This was kind of my career goal,” he said smiling. “I’ve achieved that and anything more than this is just gravy.”