The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The new Creighton RCMP sergeant doesn't need to worry about carrying a map in his cruiser. That's because Sgt. Kevin Weber is getting the rare opportunity to police the same area in which he grew up. "I'm definitely looking forward to it," said the RCMP veteran, born and raised in Flin Flon. "My family came back here all the time for our holidays. The opportunity to live here was there and I was lucky enough to get it. We've still got family and friends up here. That's the biggest draw, and, of course, the outdoors." Weber comes to Creighton after a career that has taken him across three provinces in 23 years. "I'm still enjoying the uniform," he said. "I enjoy helping people and solving problems and trying to make the community a safer place." Many police officers dream of wearing a badge from the time they are little boys and girls. But it wasn't until Weber was attending high school at Hapnot Collegiate that he realized that he and the RCMP were a perfect match. "I was probably one of those usual high school kids who didn't know what they wanted to do," he recalled. "The RCMP just seemed like a very interesting job, and I liked the opportunity for a career in policing." Having graduated from Regina's RCMP Depot Academy at the uncommonly young age of 20, Weber began his career in Burnaby, B.C. in 1982. After stops in Ottawa and the Saskatchewan towns of Yorkton and Biggar, he applied for a transfer to Creighton after the current sergeant, Mark LeMaistre, had his transfer to Winnipeg accepted. Weber sees Creighton and Denare Beach as average in terms of the crime rate, though the communities aren't without their issues. "I feel that drugs and alcohol are among the biggest problems for most communities out there, and the dangers that creates for the youth," he said. Though he qualifies it with a "never say never," Weber acknowledged he may retire in Creighton ? and would be perfectly happy to do so. "I think I'll be here for a long time coming if things work out," he said. As for Sgt. LeMaistre, tomorrow is his last day on the Creighton beat. He is transferring to his hometown of Winnipeg after six years with the Creighton detachment.
