New OIC Appointed to Cranbrook-Kimberley RCMP Detachment

Cranbrook–Kimberley, BC (July 31, 2012) -- The Commander Officer of “E” Division Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, and the District Commander of the Southeast District Chief Supt Mike Sekela, are pleased to formally announce the recent promotion of Staff Sgt. Blake MacLeod to the commissioned rank of Inspector, and his appointment to the position of Officer In Charge of the Cranbrook-Kimberley RCMP Detachment.  Inspector MacLeod brings a diversified portfolio of operational police experience along with him and he is looking forward to his new role as Detachment Commander of Cranbrook-Kimberley Detachment.  Inspector MacLeod’s 18 years of service have all been completed in the province of British Columbia. 

“I am familiar with the communities of Cranbrook and Kimberley and my family and I are very excited at the prospect of making this area of the province our next home.  My wife and three children look forward to experiencing the lifestyle that these two communities, and area of BC, will offer us,” stated Insp. Blake MacLeod.

“Policing is one of the more important aspects of running a municipality – having a capable individual like S. Sgt. Blake MacLeod assume the position of Officer-In-Charge of the Cranbrook-Kimberley RCMP detachment provides me with a level of confidence that the policing interests of both Kimberley and Cranbrook will be well taken care of,” says Kimberley Mayor Ron McRae.   “I am particularly impressed with Insp. MacLeod’s commitment to the core values of community policing as it applies to smaller communities like Kimberley.”

"The City of Cranbrook is very pleased to welcome Blake MacLeod to our community,” says Wayne Stetski, Mayor of the City of Cranbrook. “As part of the hiring committee I was able to see first-hand the commitment Mr. MacLeod brings to policing, to public service and to contributing personally to the places he and his family live."

Insp. MacLeod, who was born and raised in Southern Ontario, joined the RCMP in 1993 at which time he completed French language training in Montreal followed by his attending RCMP training at Depot in 1994.  From Depot he was transferred to Kelowna, where he was stationed from 1995 to 2002 and assigned to a variety of duties including uniform general duties and plainclothes assignment to the General Investigation Section.

In 2002 he was promoted to the rank of Cpl. and transferred to Whistler BC, where he worked in a supervisory capacity until 2008.  In 2008 he was promoted to the rank of Sgt. and posted to the Pemberton Detachment until 2009, at which time he was transferred to the Vernon-North Okanagan Detachment.  In 2011 Insp. MacLeod was promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. and transferred to the Kelowna Detachment.

“As RCMP officers, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve in several communities in the span of our career.  My family and I believe strongly in being a member of the communities that we live in through volunteerism and participation in the community.  On a professional note my focus will include continuing to foster, and build on, the trust and strong relationships currently shared with all of our community partners and citizens.  I simply would like to add in a positive way to what our officers, support staff and volunteers are currently doing in providing police services to Kimberley Cranbrook,” added Insp. MacLeod.