Pincher Creek RCMP Sgt. Randy Dixon speaks to Rotary Club

Pincher Creek Detachment Commander Sgt. Randy Dixon

Toni Lucas

"As a child, I always wanted to be a police officer," said Pincher Creek Detachment Commander Sgt. Randy Dixon when he addressed the Pincher Creek Rotary Club on Thursday, May 14. He said that he applied to join the RCMP when he was 18 but "I was thrown on the back burner." As there was no position for him at that point in time Dixon joined CN and trained to become a heavy duty mechanic. "Eight or nine years later," the RCMP contacted him to see if he still had an interest in joining the force. He filled out an application package, and within weeks was accepted.  After his training he found that he was posted to Nanaimo. "So that's where I started my career." He explained that during his time with the RCMP he has worked in Nanaimo and area, Lillooet, Oliver, Osoyoos, Chilliwack, Moose Lake, and now Pincher Creek. "We've been here 6 months now, and I love it."

"Not yet, I love what I do," is what Dixon said he has been telling his spouse when she asks him if he is ready to retire. As much as he enjoys the position he currently has he recognizes that his posting may change.  He is rather philosophical about it.  "We have 36 to 38 embassies that are manned by RCMP members, so I would love to get paid to go to a foreign country and be the liaison."

He says that the amount of paperwork that an officer has to do has changed dramatically during his career. He would like to see the force re-organize so that the paperwork aspect would be handled more by support staff, freeing up time for trained officers to be out doing law enforcement in the community. 

According to Dixon, policing issues in Pincher Creek change. "When the warm weather hits, you get the youths coming out and you get vandalism." He reminded everyone to lock up their property, as a number of thefts are committed by 'transient' people from outside the community that may never be caught. He believes that some of the problems with theft in the area has been alleviated. "We've had nothing in three, four weeks." He said that even if there is a small theft he would like to have it reported. "Even if it is only one item, it is still info. That way, we can track it. Even if it doesn't go anywhere, it is still good information."

Sgt. Dixon also talked about two events that will be held in Pincher Creek that have RCMP involvement. The RCMP Musical Ride will be in Pincher Creek August 9, and on October 3 RCMP and Pincher Creek  Emergency Services will host a Regimental Ball. "It should be really good."

Dixon answered questions about training, exercises and simulations, weapons, Operation Ice, the future of policing, and how being an officer affects his day to day thinking. "It's hard to turn it off and walk away, but you also have to know when to act on it and when not to." 

Dixon knows that policing action will ramp up during the long weekend. "It is not an issue with anyone here in the community, but during the long weekends there is everybody coming from everywhere else." here are plans for RCMP and other enforcement agencies to be vigilant on the highways and in the back country.