New RCMP Detachment opens in North Cowichan/Duncan

North Cowichan/Duncan, Island District

2024-06-14 17:31 PDT

Municipality of North Cowichan and the city of Duncan, together with the surrounding communities of the Cowichan Valley, welcomed the opening of a new RCMP Detachment. Approximately 110 people were in attendance and the ceremony opened with a welcome and speech from the Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels.

View larger image: Picture of Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels opening the ceremony with a welcome and a speech

This RCMP Detachment serves all the people of the Municipality of North Cowichan, City of Duncan, and the Cowichan Valley. North Cowichan is the fifth oldest municipality in BC. It spans 195 square kilometers with 40 kilometers of oceanfront along the east coast of Vancouver Island. The Municipality of North Cowichan sits on the traditional territories of the Quw’utsun First Nation, which includes the Cowichan Tribes, the Halalt First Nation, the Lyackson First Nation, the Penelakut Tribe, and the Stz'uminus First Nation. It also sits on the traditional, territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. North Cowichan is a community of communities, and the municipality includes Crofton, Chemainus, Maple Bay, Quamichan, Bell McKinnon, Berkey’s Corner, and South End/University Village.

There have been many advancements in law enforcement in the last 40 years and a new building was required to meet the needs of a contemporary policing model. The new, modern facility will accommodate the advances in operations and policing technologies to provide enhanced public safety.

View larger image: Picture of the new modernized North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Detachment.

This new Detachment is very high-tech and far more efficient than its predecessor built in 1980. The facility incorporates modern technology in security, interview equipment, prisoner monitoring and DNA handling, said Acting Inspector Ken Beard, North Cowichan/Duncan Detachment Commander.

Mayor Rob Douglas of the Municipality of North Cowichan said: This grand opening marks an exciting milestone for the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP. Both the RCMP and North Cowichan celebrated our 150th anniversaries in 2023, and this opening is an opportunity to celebrate our strong community partnerships. We are also proud of the many green building design elements incorporated into the detachment, which represent important steps toward achieving the goals of our Climate Action and Energy Plan.

Mayor Michelle Staples, City of Duncan said: Our region is growing, and with growth comes change, this detachment will be able to support all of the officers and staff and the Cowichan Region now and into the future. We thank you for all of your hard work and dedication are essential to our community’s well-being.

View larger image: Group picture of VIPs and ceremony speakers with RCMP officers dress in ceremonial red serge.

It is a source of pride for the officers and staff of the RCMP and the communities in which we are located in. Detachments are also centres for a wide variety of community-based activities that extend far beyond regular law enforcement. The RCMP Detachment forms a part of the heart of the community. I know this new building will continue that tradition, said Chief Superintendent Shawna Baher, RCMP Island District Commander.

I am confident that this new Detachment will provide us with a centre from which we can continue to deliver the best possible policing services that you expect and deserve well into our next 50 years in the community, said BC RCMP Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald.

View larger image: Picture of Municipality of North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas, City of Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples, Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels and BC RCMP Commanding Officer Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald cutting the ceremonial cake.

Released by:
BC RCMP Communications
778-290-2929

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