When newly promoted Corporal Trent Cleveland first arrived in Killam in May 2017, he didn’t know much about the Detachment, but he was certainly familiar with the area.

Cleveland grew up in Camrose, and often visited Flagstaff County where he still has relatives.

He was excited to transfer from the Wetaskiwin RCMP to Killam, he says; rural living, and policing, is his preference.

Cleveland has recently been transferred to the Wetaskiwin Integrated Traffic Unit, where he will be Unit Commander. His last shift in Killam comes June 30.

He says, “With my transfer from Killam to Wetaskiwin Integrated Traffic Unit, I will miss the community policing aspect and will have to try to find ways that I can get involved through traffic.

“It was a difficult decision to make, because of the people I work with and the people I serve.”

He says when he arrived at the detachment in 2017, there was no Sergeant in place, and Corporal Mike Miller from Wainwright was the temporary acting commander.

“I got to spend about a week-and-a-half with him, then I was on my own.”

Cleveland says he learned a lot from Miller during that short period, and drew on his own experience with various commanders he’d worked under, including Sgt. Wade Trottier, from his first posting at Ft. Vermilion. “I learned a little bit from everyone I’ve worked under, and took the best parts from each.”

Cleveland filled that role from May 2017 to August 2018, when he asked to take on acting commander of the Coronation Consort Detachment for six months.

He returned to Killam after Sgt. Molinski left, in 2018, to once again resume the acting commander role until the arrival of present Sgt. Colin Thorne.

Earning the trust of his members was very important to him, and became a priority for Cleveland. Beyond that, building relationships with the community was also key, he knew, and something he set out to do as soon as he arrived.

“Being a newly promoted Corporal and immediately having to take over as the Acting Sergeant-Detachment Commander for Killam was a learning curve to say the least.

“Flagstaff County truly is a gem to police and I have always felt the support from the citizens and communities that I have had the pleasure to serve.

“It’s been a roller coaster of a ride, with a lot of ups and downs, loops and twists, but I would ride it again.

“The support from the communities, the citizens, other agencies, and the detachment made that transition smooth and successful.

“We’ve been so lucky with the people we’ve worked with, and the ideas that we’ve been involved with, like the Birthdays, our pumpkin carving contest, and our Christmas Card contest.”

Cleveland is grateful for the support.

“Special thanks to all of the elected officials throughout Flagstaff County, including Amisk, Flagstaff County Protective Services Coordinator Kim Cannady, FCSS Director Lynne Jenkinson, Flagstaff, Victim Services Program Manager Noreen Metz, and all the Killam Detachment Members and employees.”

He says you couldn’t ask for better support from a community than what he’s experienced in Flagstaff.

He says he’s also grateful for The Community Press for giving him a voice in the community.

READ THE REST OF THIS STORY AND SO MUCH MORE IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION – ON NEWSSTANDS NOW OR PURCHASE FOR $1 BELOW:

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