New RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Batchelor is an excellent choice for St. Paul because of his focus on community involvement, explained Glenn Andersen, mayor for the town of St. Paul.
“He will blend into the community very well because he has family here and we are looking forward to working with him,” said Andersen.
Batchelor is equally enthusiastic about the move to St. Paul because it brings him closer to family and because of the services available in the community.
“We love it here,” said Batchelor, explaining that he has a son-in-law involved in the major crimes unit located upstairs in the St. Paul RCMP building. “My daughter is here with the two children, which is just perfect for grandma and grandpa. I also have another daughter in Spruce Grove and they have four children . . . so we are happy.”
Batchelor began work in St. Paul on Nov. 22, 2010 after transferring from his position as staff sergeant at Norway House, Manitoba, which was located 800 km north of Winnipeg.
“It was an isolated post,” said Batchelor, explaining that he could buy gas in the town and a few groceries but had to travel elsewhere to do anything else. “Here, there is everything and you are just two hours from the city, so that’s perfect.”
He said that both he and his wife golf and that he’s also looking forward to curling next season. “We like to get out and get involved in the community,” said Batchelor, adding later in the interview that he is a big proponent of “community policing,” and encourages other RCMP members to get involved in neighbourhood activities and events.
Batchelor admits that this is one of the busiest detachments in Alberta but with two sergeants, four or five corporals, and many constables, he said that he is comfortable that the local detachment has the staff to do a good job. The district office, which oversees the St. Paul, Bonnyville, Cold Lake and Elk Point detachments, is based in St. Paul, he notes.
“There is a superintendent, an inspector and three staff sergeants, called DANCOs (District Advisory Non Commissioned Officers) that oversee the detachments and make sure everything is running smoothly,” said Batchelor. St. Paul also has a major crimes unit, which includes a sergeant, a corporal and three or four constables that look into crimes such as homicides. Although these staff members work in St. Paul, they can be dispatched anywhere in the north east district. He added that there are also two members working in forensic identification, an officer that works with dogs, and a traffic services department with a sergeant, two constables and a traffic analyst.
Batchelor brings more than 22 years of policing experience with him to his new position. This is the fourth detachment of which he has been in charge. He was born and raised in Richmond B.C., which is where he met his wife and had his two children. His job with the RCMP brought him to posts in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba but he is hoping to settle in this community and stay for a while.