Meet Penticton’s new top cop

PENTICTON – There's a new RCMP commander in town. The new Penticton detachment commander has been selected.

Insp. Brian Hunter has been appointed to the position of detachment commander for the Penticton South Okanagan Regional RCMP detachment, according to a City of Penticton media release.

The current detachment commander Supt. Ted De Jager announced his transfer from the position in July.

Insp. Hunter is currently serving as the officer in charge of the Port Alberni RCMP detachment, a position he has held since 2016, the City says. Prior to that, he was the officer in charge at the Oceanside detachment, since 2008. His career has spanned 25 years with deployments in Shawnigan Lake, Telegraph Creek, Dease Lake, Salmon Arm and Williams Lake.

“Council is pleased a final decision has been made to fill this critical policing role,” Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki said in the release. “We are confident Inspector Hunter’s experience will make him an approachable community leader who will listen to the concerns of our residents on matters concerning homelessness, drug use, mental illness and property crime while his knowledge of community policing will ensure the laws of Canada are upheld."

“Insp. Hunter is a seasoned leader to take on the role as the incoming officer in charge of Penticton and the South Okanagan Regional detachment,” RCMP Southeast District Chief Supt. Brad Haugli said in the release.

Hunter and his wife Julie are excited to be moving to Penticton and says he is looking forward to connecting with the Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP team and community partners to continue a collaborative approach to reducing crime.

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