A new inspector is at the helm of Airdrie RCMP.
Insp. Lauren Weare is the new detachment commander, following the transfer of Insp. Kim Pasloske to the RCMP’s Depot Division in Regina, Sask. in mid-August. According to Weare, her role will be to guide and direct the RCMP’s operations and policing priorities in Airdrie. She'll also oversee the Beiseker detachment and be responsible for parts of Rocky View County.
“I’ve been very impressed with the detachment and the services that are delivered,” said Weare, who started her new role Aug. 13. “It’s a larger detachment than the previous one I worked at, so there are a tremendous amount of specialty units that are able to move forward a number of initiatives and priorities.”
Before taking over as the head of Airdrie RCMP, Weare said she spent the last year working on various projects for the RCMP's Southern Alberta District, including the district’s COVID-19 response. Prior to that, she was with Cochrane RCMP from 2016 to 2019.
The RCMP veteran brings 33 years of policing experience to the Airdrie detachment. Weare said the first posting of her career was in Bonnyville, Alta., before later transferring to various detachments in northern British Columbia, including Williams Lake, Smithers, Terrace, Prince George, Alexis Creek and Anahim Lake.
“I bring a very large tool belt of experiences that have been brought in across the spectrum in both rural and municipal policing,” she said. “I am a very firm believer in not micromanaging, but ensuring all the employees – whether they be regular members or support staff – have the appropriate training, tools and skills to move forward in achieving the identified priorities we establish through community consultation and understanding what our crime trends are.”
One of Weare’s roles will be to set policing priorities, which are determined every year based on consultation with the City of Airdrie's Police Advisory Board, residents and community groups. Current priorities, she added, include property crime, engaging with youth, crime prevention and traffic concerns.
“Traffic concerns are already identified, in almost every community I’ve been in – both very tiny and larger [communities],” she said. “And drug issues – often, property crime is committed by folks who are addicted to various drugs, and sometimes those are interconnected, so our crime reduction unit will focus on a lot of those areas.”
Airdrie residents’ first introduction to Weare came at the end of September when the detachment broadcasted its first virtual Mochas With Mounties video. The broadcast allowed Airdrie’s police officers to answer questions submitted by residents.
Now seven weeks into the role of detachment commander, Weare said she is excited to continue meeting Airdronians and engaging with community groups.
“As Airdrie is my 12th posting, one of the things I strive to do in each posting is to be engaged with the community, both on and off duty,” she said.
“What I look forward to most is just getting to know people and the opportunity to visit some of our senior centers and groups."
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
