Monday, Nov. 30, marked the first day on the job in Killam for Sergeant Colin Thorne.

Thorne spent most of his early days in Newfoundland, where his father, also an RCMP member, transferred when he was six months old. “I consider Grand Bank my hometown, as that’s where we stayed the longest, and I completed middle and high school there.”

Grand Bank is a rural fishing town on the tip of the Burin Peninsula. Thorne says most of Newfoundland is rural except for St. John’s and a few other urbans.

Thorne worked in the hospitality industry until he was 27, when he joined the RCMP. “Of course my father being a Member had an influence, but probably also had an influence in me not joining until 27.

“I guess kind of being the Cop’s son, everyone assumes that you’re going to follow in those footsteps immediately. Perhaps I rebelled against the idea for a little while before coming to my senses.”

Come April, Thorne will have completed 14 years of service.

He says Killam is his seventh detachment in those 14 years. “I’ve been compared to a pogo stick for all the bouncing around we’ve done,” he says.

He started his career in Nova Scotia, then spent some time in Newfoundland detachments before a hop back to Nova Scotia, then west to Rosetown, Saskatchewan. He had an opportunity to seek a promotion to corporal and a move to Beaverlodge, where he spent three-and-a-half years, then landed in Whitecourt this past July before seeking a further promotion to sergeant in Killam.

He says, “I chose Killam as I really enjoy rural policing and living in a rural setting.” He says he’s enjoyed the moves he’s done so far, and seeing different parts of the country and in the provinces he’s served in.

Thorne is married, with three children, all boys, at 11, 12, and 21. His oldest son is presently attending university in Newfoundland.

He and his family arrived just over a week ago, and are still getting settled.

Thorne’s wife is a registered dental assistant.

When he’s off work, Thorne says he likes to travel with his family, and go on camping trips.

He also likes to cook, and really enjoys barbequing.

Thorne says, “It’s only been a week, but so far, the few interactions I have had in Flagstaff have been great.

“The staff and Members at the detachment are fantastic and are making this transition go very smoothly.”

Thorne says this will be the first time he’s worked in a detachment that’s been amalgamated with another, like the Killam and Viking Detachments, but says, “for smaller detachments in close proximity such as Killam and Viking, I believe it’s ingenious.”

Viking Detachment recently welcomed its new commander, Corporal Ryan Doucette, and Thorne says, “I’ve met Ryan and spoke with him several times since our arrival.”

Read the REST OF THE STORY in the December 9 edition – on newsstands now! Or buy a digital copy and read it anytime:

Never miss an issue – become a subscriber today! Click here!

Studies prove, Community Newspapers are still the most effective medium for getting a message out there in towns and villages like ours across the prairies. Attract LOCAL customers by supporting LOCAL media.

ADVERTISE!

ads@thecommunitypress.com

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor