After a long search for the right candidate, Flagstaff County recently hired a new Peace Officer.
Aaron Young, who is still waiting for his official appointment to Flagstaff from the Province, brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement to the region.
Young has had a 16-year career in law enforcement that includes working as a Correctional Peace Officer, Training Instructor, Community Peace Officer and Conservation Officer. He comes to Flagstaff County from Red Deer. He started out as an auxiliary with the Blood Tribe Police Service, and his full-time career started as a Correctional Peace Officer with the Province.
Young grew up in the military, where his father was a pilot in the Canadian Air Force. He says, “I’ve moved to Alberta three times, and I’m here to stay; at least until my kids are grown.”
In Red Deer, he was hired to train other peace officers, but he says the job never really panned out. Young helped develop a Peace Officer training program at Lac La Biche before that, and he’s helped train around 3,000 recruits during his career as an instructor.
He says when he saw the job posting for Flagstaff County, he didn’t really know much about the region. “That usually means it’s really good, or really bad.” He says he asked around, and what he heard was essentially that while people didn’t know much about Flagstaff County, they did know Peace Office Skylar Zelinski, “And he’s awesome,” he heard.
Young says after an interview with county administration, and a ride-along with Zelinski, he thought the position here would be a good fit. “Things started to align very well.” He says after that he researched the area more, and talked in-depth with County Assistant CAO Jim Fedyk and Zelinski. “I learned that Flagstaff County is not action packed, but there’s lots of potential here. I can lend a hand with other things.”
Young also has a background in Emergency Management, and has been a firefighter, fire course instructor, and officer. He started his career as a Conservation Officer with the Province, so he brings a lot of rural experience, as well as experience patrolling a large region, to the position.
Young says he can’t get on the road until his appointment comes through, but he has spent the time meeting with area CAOs, hearing their concerns, complaints, and suggestions. “I like to think larger picture.”
He’s thrilled with Flagstaff County’s positive ticket program, and thinks that’s a really great way to interact with youth. “I heard there was an RCMP School Resource Officer position here at one time. I know that other municipalities have put a Peace Officer in that role, which has seen some success, and I’d be very interested in exploring that in the future.”
Essentially, Young jumped in with both feet and started asking, “What can I do? What do we need?” he says.
He says everything that he’s learned through experience, and taught, comes with him to the position of Peace Officer for Flagstaff County.
When he’s not working, Young says he volunteers with The First Responder Resiliency Project, started by a friend of his who is an Edmonton Police Service officer. “It’s a fact that 20 minutes a day, or two hours a week in nature helps with symptoms on Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Through that organization, Young helps with group hikes through the David Thompson Country, helping others with their journey through PTS.”
The Project comes down to this: “Our goal is this: to get First Responders into the backcountry, to reconnect with nature, connect with themselves and others, and realize that they’re capable of doing harder things than they imagine.”
Young says he also likes to cook during his time off. “I find it very relaxing, and I really enjoy it.” He says it also helps him decompress and take time away from law enforcement. He also likes to hike and enjoys the outdoors.
He presently lives in Stettler, with his partner Robyn who is also a Peace Officer, and he plans to commute to work from there.
Young says, “Flagstaff looks like a place I want to stay. I don’t take a job intending to leave. I like to be involved and help in whatever capacity I can. Flagstaff County, so far, appears to be a great fit.”
He says that he has always ascribed to Peel’s Principles of policing, especially #7, which says: ‘Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.’
If you happen to see Young out on duty, don’t be afraid to say hello. He says, “I’m looking forward to getting to know more people and connecting with all the Flagstaff communities.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor