The Killam RCMP Detachment welcomed a new Constable, Callum MacQueen, just over a month ago.
Cst. MacQueen is working directly under Cst. Brett McFarlane for the first six months as he completes his field training.
He was raised in Calgary, and is a third-generation RCMP member, including his grandfather, father, and uncle. For MacQueen, he says it wasn’t hard to decide what to do after school, as he respected his family members who went into policing, and wanted to follow in their footsteps.
His father spent most of his career as a Calgary City Police Department member, before retiring as a Staff Sergeant and then taking on a role with the RCMP, before ultimately retiring altogether and moving to the east coast.
MacQueen says that was home before the family moved out to Alberta.
Despite growing up in Calgary, MacQueen says the Killam posting is exactly what he wanted, even though at the time he wasn’t aware of Killam as an option. “I wanted a rural posting. It’s the perfect fit, both size wise and for the number of personnel here.
He says he spent a lot of time at his grandmother’s farm in Dollard, Saskatchewan, which is a very, very small community, and became familiar with rural life there.
MacQueen had a very special moment at his Depot graduation, where his dad sought special permission from the RCMP and Calgary Police Department to present Callum with his RCMP badge. “It was really special. My uncle was also there, and my grandmother, as my grandfather has passed away.”
He said it was a very sentimental moment for the entire family.
Before attending Depot, MacQueen was off school for a year, and worked as a heavy duty mechanic, earning his second-year apprentice status before leaving to start his policing career.
It’s another thing he likes to do with his dad, he says, as they worked on project vehicles together while he was growing up. He says their latest was a 1973 GMC half-ton they restored.
Now that he’s getting settled, he says he might be looking for a project of his own to work on.
MacQueen stayed at a motel in Killam for the first few weeks he was here, before purchasing a home in Killam.
He says he was pleasantly surprised with all the great amenities available in the Flagstaff County region and in Killam. “There’s a really good vibe in the community, and lots of amenities, and I’ve found everyone to be very friendly.”
MacQueen says he also used to play hockey, and while he’s here he might look into some reffing work.
Cst. MacQueen says that if you meet him on the street or in the community, don’t hesitate to come and say ‘Hi.’ “I like talking to people, and I’m really happy to be here.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor
