After four years at the Agassiz RCMP detachment, Sgt. Darren Rennie is leaving for a new post with the RCMP National Performance Program. Rennie submitted this letter to the Agassiz Harrison Observer on Friday, Aug. 9 — his last day with the detachment.
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I am writing to advise today (August 9) is my last day in Agassiz as the Detachment Commander.
My transfer to Agassiz in July 2015 was a true coming home experience for me. Many of you may know I began my career in Agassiz in 1997 as a 22-year-old kid under the guidance and supervision of Staff-Sgt. John Veldman, Cpl. Emil Spitkoski and Cpl. Greg Chariot. Those three men helped develop me as a police officer and the man I am today.
I spent nearly six years in Agassiz developing my skill-set as an investigator and developed many great relationships, both professional and personal. I met my wife, Veronique, in 1998 and we played in the Agassiz two-pitch league with such veterans as Steve Rayworth (retired RCMP). I was able to organize ball hockey games against local youth in Agassiz and in Sts’ailes.
I was truly lucky to have been posted to Agassiz out of training.
Over the past four years there have been some incredible challenges and successful investigations.
We used traditional and non-traditional methods to solve these crimes, going as far as placing officers in bushes and trees during a rain storm to catch a male in the act of committing his crimes. We assisted IHIT, the CLAN lab and other RCMP units, exposing our officers to other types of policing and investigational techniques. We successfully investigated violent crimes like attempted murders, criminal negligence causing death, and dangerous driving causing death to name a few. We shut down property crime rings in Popkum, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs.
These investigations demonstrated the police cannot solve these crimes without the public’s assistance. The police need the communities support by ensuring they are reporting the crimes and suspicious activity.
Our officers are currently working toward the policing priorities identified by the residents and elected officials and have made great strides toward road safety and pro-active patrols/policing. We recently hosted an event inviting members of the public to meet the local officers at Heritage House and more are planned.
I am off to my next post with the RCMP National Performance Program and I leave the detachment in the capable hands of Sgt. Michael Sargent. Mike has spent the past four years as a patrol sergeant in Chilliwack and he is very familiar with our communities and the policing needs. I know he will serve you well.
Take care,
Darren
news@ahobserver.com
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