Salmon Arm top cop praised
Photo: Salmon Arm RCMP
Salmon Arm city council members voiced their appreciation as Salmon Arm RCMP Staff Sgt. Scott West formally announced his retirement.
West’s retirement had previously been announced in a press release from the RCMP detachment, but he formally informed city council as part of his quarterly policing report at Monday’s meeting.
“First time I’ve said it in a public forum, I know that I’ve let all of you know, but I’ll be retiring,” West said. “Never thought I’d choke up here, but after nine years here in Salmon Arm in partnership with all of you great people in this room, I think we’ve been a success together.”
West found himself a little emotional, and other councillors found themselves in a similar situation.
“I’m not going to say anything nice, because there’s way too much crying going on and I don’t have any Kleenex up here,” joked Coun. Sylvia Lindgren.
Other councillors spoke up to thank West for his years of service to Salmon Arm.
“Thank you, Scott,” Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond said. “Professionally on behalf of the social services sector, I want to say how much I appreciate the years and years and years of small, careful, thoughtful steps and co-operation and participation through some really difficult times.
“I really appreciated having you as my staff sergeant, and I as a city councillor in this work, which can sometimes be volatile and unsure, I always felt safe, and I will always be grateful for that.”
Coun. Tim Lavery shared a memory of a time West had helped local seniors concerned about a property in his neighbourhood.
“A number of neighbours, mainly senior citizens, had concerns about a property in our neighbourhood,” Lavery said. “Scott afterwards to me said, ‘Man, they remind me of my grandmother, of course, we can do something,’ and proceeded within the bounds of the law to make that difference, to impact some senior citizens.”
Coun. Debbie Cannon also thanked West for his years of service.
“I think we really got a gift that you ended the last nine years of your 30-some year career in Salmon Arm,” she said. Cannon also requested that West attend the 55+ BC Games opening ceremony in his red serge as one of his last official acts.
West praised council and city staff for their co-operation throughout his career.
“We couldn’t have done what we have done without the positivity, the willingness and attitude of city staff, city management and all of the councillors and mayors,” he said.
“It’s through you, through city staff, through your management, your bylaw officers, the teachers in the community and the social networks in the community that we’ve been able to do what we’ve been able to do over the last nine years.”
West concluded his report by saying he’s not sure yet when his successor will be named, but the application process is underway.
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