After 34 years of police service, Staff Sgt. Shaunna Lewis is retiring from her role as Detachment Commander of 亚洲天堂 Lake this July. Lewis, who assumed command in 2019, has enjoyed a storied career spanning from the west to the east coast of Canada.

Reflecting on her journey within the RCMP, Lewis describes her career as fulfilling and diverse.

Hailing from a small community in Saskatchewan where RCMP officers were deeply integrated into community life, Lewis was inspired to join the force by their commitment to community service and public safety.

鈥淚 knew it was not a career for everyone; I knew not everyone liked what police officers had to do or what they represented. But I joined the RCMP because of the interactions I personally had, to protect people, and a willingness to serve in small communities throughout Canada,鈥� Lewis said.

Her career highlights include extensive experience in general duty policing, special investigations, and traffic services, culminating in her dream role as an RCMP dog handler.

After raising and training numerous potential police puppies, she was selected to train and work with her own police dog. She played a pivotal role in numerous RCMP operations, using her expertise to track criminals, recover evidence, and locate missing persons.

Lewis's dedication led her to the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre, where she trained fellow officers in dog handling techniques.

In 2019, Lewis embraced the opportunity to lead the 亚洲天堂 Lake RCMP detachment, a position that resonated deeply with her small-town upbringing and values.

鈥溠侵尢焯� Lake policing area reminded me of where I grew up,鈥� she said, adding, 鈥淚t was like I was coming full circle.鈥�

Small-town policing meant learning about the community, integrating into the community, and building wholesome working and personal relationships while maintaining policing mandates and working through challenges together, she said.

"Over the last five and a half years, I鈥檇 like to say this was accomplished. From major events like the pandemic or wildfires to community celebrations like the Centennial Celebration or Indigenous Peoples Day, the strength in this community shows everywhere."

Looking back, Lewis says she is leaving this role in the RCMP with pride and a sense of completeness, thanking the community for its support.

Staff Sgt. Josh Smith is taking over as the new detachment commander for 亚洲天堂 Lake. Smith is joining the 亚洲天堂 Lake department after serving as the Detachment Commander in Williams Lake. Prior to that, he was in charge of the crime reduction unit in Terrace.