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South Okanagan Photos

New regional superintendent replaces RCMP inspector in Penticton

Kevin HewcoThe City of Penticton is pleased to announce that Insp. Kevin Hewco has been selected as the successful candidate to lead the Penticton RCMP detachment and South Okanagan regional command.

Insp. Hewco comes to Penticton from the North Cowichan RCMP detachment, based in Duncan.

“Insp. Hewco understands policing in B.C. and the safety needs of communities. We are thrilled to have an officer of his calibre join the Penticton detachment and South Okanagan region,” said Acting Mayor Garry Litke.
Insp. Hewco has been a Mountie for more than 26 years, joining the RCMP in 1986 after earning a Bachelor of Economics and Political Science from the University of Alberta. After training in Regina, He was assigned to Whistler and Kelowna for investigator duties. He has led the Port Alice, Tofino, Oceanside (Parksville) and North Cowichan detachments as commander. He was also the elected representative for the Island District RCMP members’ E Division Labour Relations Program.
Insp. Hewco will assume the rank of superintendent, serving as the regional commander for Penticton and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen communities.
“I am excited to return to the valley, and particularly Penticton and the South Okanagan. The region is beautiful and the communities are warm and welcoming. I can’t wait to begin the new role,” said Insp. Hewco.
Hewco is anticipated to join the Penticton detachment this summer, with the date dependant on finalizing housing arrangements.

earlier on ODN

Two messages from senior officers of the RCMP today in Penticton. Your streets are safe and the area will be getting enhanced leadership in the form of a sub-regional police superintendent based in the Okanagan Similkameen.

Southeast BC District Chief Superintendent Mike Sekela told RDOS directors the area is getting busier with increasing population and that importance has been proven to the highest offices of the force.

The area has been supervised by Inspector Brag Haugli for a number of years but he is moving on – promoted to a supervisory role in the Surrey area.

Chief Superintendent Sekela says the importance of the area is the proximity to the Canadian/US border at Osoyoos and the number of native band-reserves within the Regional District.

Sekela told the meeting that he had a business plan for the new position approved by the Commissioner of the RCMP and the force will be hiring a man or women with qualifications to take on the role within the next three months.