Took a long time to chose pictures and a bit of a story on this man’s career. 34 years ago, a tall young man decide to turn in the head lifeguard’s Speedo swimsuit and line-up for a para-military force training programme – the Mounted Police – yes in Canada.

He was in Yellowknife, he had completed two university degrees, was having way to much fun and something motivated him to venture south to Regina.

After his recruit training he served in a number of detachments in many positions starting in Surrey in the mid eighty’s. He married and had two sons. He lives now in a bigger family of five offspring with partner Tracy.

But it’s time to find some other need and we will get to that a bit later. His last formal day on the job the last Thursday of February.

Time now to finish up – pass the job of leadership to another – celebrate – put up your feet for at least a month before reaching out to find a need.

By now you know I am talking about RCMP Sgt. Ken Harrington, detachment commander in Oliver, set to retire but not necessarily hanging up his uniform forever. He is retiring his command position but plans to head to the North West Territories*, yes the place he decided on his career, for at least a month because of a pressing need for manpower on the force.

Losing “the stripes” not a problem – the uniform speaks for itself he says.

Harrington states there are many ways to do a job but he prides himself on doing it with diplomacy using one example here of taking bottled water to Lion’s Park – offering it to pickers and engaging in a conversation on community expectations – rather than using the heavy hand. He says working as a police officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has been a big part of his life and a chapter he is very proud of.

Below the two pictures used in fun. I don’t think he would mind – he made a point of showing off his earlier look with an ID that stated he was a blond boy born in ’55.