Chestermere RCMP has a new District Commander (DC) calling the shots.
Staff Sgt. Kathy Klassen assumed the highest-ranking position for the Chestermere detachment on Jan. 3, replacing previous DC Mark Wielgosz, who has transferred to the Strathmore detachment.
“Kathy is a long time Albertan with a demonstrated commitment to community policing,” said Chief Superintendent Trevor Daroux, District Officer for the RCMP's Southern Alberta District, in a press release. “I look forward to Kathy utilizing her past experiences, working in numerous communities throughout the province, to lead the team in Chestermere as they serve the community.”
The DC is the highest-ranked non-commissioned officer in an RCMP detachment, responsible for overseeing all policing operations and functions.
Klassen said it's a new role for her, and she is looking forward to the expanded scope of responsibility that comes with it.
"I've never assumed the position of District Commander before, so I'm excited to learn the roles and responsibilities," Klassen said.
Klassen is a 16-year veteran of the Alberta RCMP, having begun her career with the Bassano detachment. in 2005. During her time in the rural community just off Highway 1, she worked alongside the local Citizens on Patrol unit.
After four years in Bassano, she transferred to the Wood Buffalo detachment in northern Alberta, where she worked for 12 years as a constable.
She said she was motivated to pursue a career in policing after moving to Alberta in 2001, adding she had developed an interest in the field of law and justice while at university.
After moving to the central Alberta town of Rocky Mountain House, she started working as a program coordinator for the town's local victim services unit – a position that involved liaising with the local RCMP.
"In working alongside RCMP in Rocky Mountain House, I started developing an interest in joining the RCMP," she said.
Prior to moving to Alberta, Klassen grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador. She said policing is somewhat a family affair, as her brother is also an RCMP member.
While she's only been in Chestermere for a few weeks, Klassen said she is excited to continue meeting residents and getting to know the lakeside community.
"It's nice to be back working in southern Alberta district, and with the members down here in this area," she said.
"I could really tell the people [in Chestermere] are passionate about their community. It's a fast-growing community right now, with all the development going on. It's going to be exciting to be a part of this community and watching it grow."
In a press release, Chestermere Mayor Jeff Colvin welcomed the new DC to the community.
“We look forward to working with her and continuing our collaboration with the RCMP,” he said.
Klassen added her first impression of the city's crime trends was a recent spat of vehicle thefts.
"I've only been here three weeks, but I've been enlightened that youth is very important to this community, and the path the youth take," she said. "I've noticed a reasonable amount of vehicle theft or trailer theft from construction area sites. Given the dynamic of our world right now, I know a lot of things are quite expensive to buy in the housing industry, so some thefts are occurring like that."
