New staff sergeant settling in at Strathmore RCMP

By Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean, Times Contributor

A new RCMP staff sergeant is finally in place in Strathmore.
Dale Morgan arrived in Strathmore at the end of December from his previous post in New Brunswick. Originally from southern Ontario, Morgan has only been posted outside of that province and he says Strathmore is the largest centre he’s lived in his career.
“I have 29 and a half years with the RCMP,” Morgan said. “I did my first 18 years in British Columbia, five years in Saskatchewan and six years in New Brunswick. My family is out west, and Strathmore intrigued us – it’s nice to be back on the prairies.”
Morgan did work for about two months in Ontario at the start of his career but that was due more to an administrative mix-up than an opportunity.
As the local staff sergeant, he will be responsible for guiding day-to-day operations and long-term planning for both Strathmore and rural RCMP members who share the Strathmore detachment. Some changes have already begun in Strathmore thanks to the focus on rural policing priorities that began in 2018.
“Visibility is always a priority,” Morgan said. “The trick is to get members into the position that they’re able to get on the road.”
This office has four watch clerks – administrative roles – that allows members to be out responding to complaints.
“In the short time that I’ve been here, I’m already seeing that the ability of these members to be on the road is greater than other areas where I’ve worked,” he said.
While Morgan’s role is essentially managerial, he says he will definitely be out in the community.
“I have a habit of being sociable,” he said with a laugh. “I like to go and meet people in the community – hear feedback and concerns. I think everyone should know who their chief of police is.”