The Sundre RCMP detachment's longest serving member in recent history has transferred to a new jurisdiction to be closer to family.
All of the colleagues Const. Val Dennis worked with when he first started his service to the community in October of 2011 have also since transferred.
“During my five years here, the whole detachment's had a changeover,” he told the Round Up during a phone interview.
“Everyone who was here when I arrived has moved on to different areas of policing in RCMP and different detachments — even throughout the country.”
His fondest memories of the time he dedicated to the community include working with youth and striving to dispel an all too common public perception that a police officer's presence automatically means something bad is happening.
“It was a great policing opportunity to work with the kids and just get the kids to know the police and know they can talk to a policeman.”
When Dennis first started his beat in Sundre, the now 59-year-old constable said students would look at him when he walked into River Valley School almost with an air of suspicion.
“They look at you and wonder, ‘What's wrong — what are you here for?'” he said about his first visits to the elementary school.
“Now if I walk in the school, it's ‘Hi, how are you doing!'”
The situation was not altogether much different with many parents, who also tended to jump to the conclusion that an officer's presence at the school — or even the arena, skatepark or other public venues — was not good news.
“It was one of my goals to change that perception,” he said.
“Police officers are members of the community just like everybody else.”
Additionally, working collaboratively with other agencies and emergency services and further building as well as solidifying those relationships was also a pleasant aspect of fulfilling his duties, he said.
“It's been a pleasure working with them,” said the constable, referring to the regional fire departments, EMS staff, peace officers, Fish and Wildlife, and of course neighbouring RCMP detachments like the ones in Olds and Didsbury as well.
Cpl. Ryan Hodge, who was in charge of the department when Dennis arrived, and Sgt. Jim Lank, who has since become commander, “were very instrumental in working with you to make sure that things got done right.”
A career in policing is no ordinary line of work, he said.
“It is more than just a job — it is a responsibility; it is a lifestyle. To do a good job of it, you have to have that commitment.”
His first post following graduation from depot about 10 years ago was in Coronation, Alta., which is located about two hours east of Red Deer. Although nothing is written in stone, Dennis hopes his next position in Cardston, Alta. will be that stepping stone to retirement, which he plans to spend on the family ranch.
“It's been in the family ever since 1902. I'm going back there ultimately.”
The main factor behind his decision to transfer was to be closer to help his mom Ida, who lives in the Pincher Creek area, after his father Verne died last year. Being in Cardston will shave more than two hours off of that trip.
“The reason for me to take this transfer is to be closer to home and family.”
The constable expressed his gratitude to the detachment's members as well as the office staff and he also extended his appreciation to the community as a whole for the support and assistance offered during his time in Sundre.
With his wife Shelly-Anne Dennis, who for the time being will continue to work as a secretary at River Valley School, he has two daughters and a son as well as six grandchildren.
Dennis's dedication and commitment to his community as well as his police work and other extracurricular activities — which included an ongoing engagement with the Olds Rural Crime Watch Association — were nothing less than exemplary, and the constable leaves behind big shoes to fill, said Lank.
