There’s a new member at the Killam RCMP Detachment, with the arrival of Constable Logan Ryder, fresh from the RCMP Depot Academy this past December.
Ryder has been super busy since coming to Killam. He was raised in Toronto, and says he’s finding that rural life can be very busy, just in a different way than he is used to.
“It can get super busy in an instant, then very quiet.”
Ryder, who is 25, has a degree in Criminal Justice from Carlton University, and says he worked his way through post-secondary schooling by working at Cargill during the summers, and various customer service jobs.
He says that working customer service is where he discovered that he genuinely likes helping people.
Ryder says that’s part of the reason he applied to the RCMP. “A few of my friends were working with the Ontario Provincial Police and the city force, but I wanted to do something different.”
So far he’s loving it. “It’s something new or different every day. I like solving problems and working with people.”
He’s finding all the detachment members and staff very friendly, which has been a big help settling in. For his first six months at the Killam Detachment, he will be paired with Cst. Kirk Rafuse.
Before arriving in Killam before Christmas, Ryder had never been to Alberta at all, but says he chose the province as his first choice for posting after training.
He was hoping to be a little closer to Edmonton or Calgary initially, but is finding that he’s adapting to life in the rural area really well, better than he expected.
“I really don’t miss the city, here things are slowed down a bit, and you can actually enjoy life. It’s a different experience here, where everyone knows everyone else.
“It was a bit of a transition for me at first; I learned that you have to time when you are going to get your groceries, because stores close a little earlier than what I’m used to.”
Ryder says he’s a career learner, and a big reader, and has lots to occupy himself during his time away from work.
He’s had a bit of an opportunity to check out the region so far, and says he recently discovered the Valley Ski Hill, and is really looking forward to getting on one of the region’s many golf courses come this summer.
“So far I am enjoying my time here. I’m looking forward to travelling more in the province, and of course, seeing the mountains.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor