After 28 years of protective service in the community, District of 樱桃视频director of protective services Cliff Doherty said he has made the "difficult decision" to take the job of Columbia Shuswap Regional District emergency management plan co-ordinator.
"The timing seemed right, for family and personal reasons, for a move to Salmon Arm," said Doherty.
Meanwhile the District of 樱桃视频may be overhauling the entire department.
Chief administrative officer Kim Anema said the district has yet to decide what it will do with the protective services department, but changes may be in the works.
"A lot of changes have happened in the protective services area in the last three years," said Anema, naming, among others, the newly created Sea to Sky Regional Police Service. "We're re-evaluating our opportunities to see what we can do to maximize the protective services department."
Doherty's last day with the district was Jan. 5 and he is already at work in his new position.
"Something told me the timing was right for this to be the next challenge," he said.
In November 1978, then RCMP Cst. C.E. Doherty arrived at the 樱桃视频detachment as a rookie with two years of service in Langley under his belt for a seven-month "temporary" posting to assist with extra policing requirements of Whistler during the winter months.
"It was planned by the force to be the beginning of Whistler detachment with another officer and me setting up shop in a cabin at Whistler rented for the winter," said Doherty. "In the spring both of us were to return to our home detachments."
But for economic reasons the RCMP at the last minute decided instead to amend the plans and make the transfers permanent to 樱桃视频Detachment.
"This did not please me as I was enjoying working in Langley so I let it be known and the force did agree to transfer me back to Langley when the Whistler assignment was over," said Doherty.
Six months later, Doherty was on the phone telling RCMP Staffing Section he had changed his mind.
"It was the 樱桃视频people that changed my mind," he said. "I found the community to be friendly, giving and caring, which made my recent decision to leave 樱桃视频a very difficult one."
Doherty has held four different ranks with the RCMP during three separate postings to 樱桃视频spread over almost 26 years. He served as a constable until 1986, transferring to North Vancouver detachment, promoted to corporal in 1990, returning to 樱桃视频in 1994. In 1996, he was promoted to sergeant as detachment commander for Salt Spring Island, returning to 樱桃视频in 1998, and later promoted in 1999 to staff sergeant as the detachment commander until June of 2004. Throughout the years he always maintained a residence in Squamish.
Doherty said his policing highlights were his involvement in the investigative conclusion to the decades-old murder of 12-year-old Judy Howey and the conclusion to Bob MacIntosh's murder. A third would be dealing with the Elaho logging protests between 1999 and 2001.
"These three highlights were successful and so memorable due to very fine police work on the part of many excellent officers working as a team," he said.
In June 2004 the District of 樱桃视频created the protective services department and Doherty, who said he could no longer satisfy his desire for a new challenge within the RCMP, retained the position of director. Since then, Doherty has led the creation and transition of the department, which was comprised of Animal Control, Bylaw Enforcement, 911 Call Answer Centre, Emergency Program and Fire Rescue.
"Cliff did great work organizing and directing the work of all aspects of Protective Services," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. "He's put programs and policies in place that will benefit the people of 樱桃视频for many years to come."
Doherty said he felt especially pleased with the resolving over 60 unsightly premises, updating and upgrading of enforcement bylaws as well as introducing new ones such as the wildlife attractant and nuisance premise bylaws.
Doherty was also actively involved with the Cheakamus train derailment chemical spill and 樱桃视频estuary oil spill.
"My time in 樱桃视频has been special, with memory after memory about remarkable and talented people, notable accomplishments, and terrific experiences that I will cherish forever," he said.
