Kamloops RCMP's new superintendent ready for challenge

Kamloops RCMP's new superintendent ready for challenge

Supt. Syd Lecky made his first official media appearance as the head of Kamloops RCMP on July 13.

Lecky comes to Kamloops after an almost five-year stint in Terrace, B.C. where he spent the last two years as superintendent.

"I've only been here for a week … but from what I've seen so far, I'm very excited," said Lecky.

Lecky has spent the past 23 years with the RCMP and with his new position in Kamloops, his career has come full circle, as he first started with the force in Kelowna.

'Growing community'

Lecky said his team will focus on traffic safety, organized crime, and the opioid crisis.

"Is it going to be easy? No. Has it been easy anywhere else? Kamloops, as a growing community, is no different than most," said Lecky.

"As we get bigger, we are going to see these things front and centre and we need to find our ways to find our solutions."

The new superintendent, who is of Passamaquoddy First Nations descent, said he will focus on engaging with the local Indigenous community, who he says has been historically underserved.

In 2008, Supt Lecky worked as an advisory non-commissioned officer in charge of the Aboriginal Policing program in northern B.C., where he helped detachments and First Nations communities work together.

Read more from CBC British Columbia