Airdrie Const. Samantha Lawrence has been appointed as the new RCMP liaison officer for the town of Crossfield, and said she is looking forward to making a positive impact on the community in the coming months.
Lawrence has been working in Crossfield since mid-March alongside the previous liaison officer for Crossfield, Const. Kirby Erickson, who has accepted a position in Airdrie as a school resource officer.
The position of liaison officer entails patrolling Crossfield, under the Airdrie RCMP detachment’s rural service.
“My goal is really to get out there and make a presence in the community,” Lawrence said regarding her new position. “Due to COVID, we’re limited in what we can do, but basically [I want to] get my name out there and meet everyone.”
Since she started the position about seven weeks ago, Lawrence has presented at a local school and made an effort to introduce herself to residents and business-owners in Crossfield. Lawrence said she has additional upcoming school presentations planned regarding internet safety, and added she wants to “be a positive role model for youth in the community.”
“I really enjoy the community involvement and interaction with people,” said Lawrence in a press release sent by the Town of Crossfield. “I like people to have a positive image of police as opposed to a negative one.”
“It’s definitely challenging with COVID, but we’re making it work,” she added.
Lawrence is originally from Newfoundland, but since graduating from police training, has serviced both rural and urban areas in and around Airdrie. This month will mark her fifth year with the Airdrie RCMP detachment.
According to Lawrence, being a liaison officer involves community service and presentations, taking and reporting files and providing a police presence in the town.
When Lawrence is not servicing Crossfield as liaison officer, she said she enjoys spending time with her husband and two golden retrievers, and also enjoys running and playing hockey in the wintertime.
Lawrence encourages residents to stop by her office at the Crossfield Fire Hall to introduce themselves, or let her know if there is anything going in in the community she should pay attention to.
“If my car is there, I’m there. You can swing by and say hi, but if it’s an emergency, I do remind you to call 9-1-1,” she said.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
