Retiring RCMP sergeant transitioning into Crime Stoppers role

PENTICTON – The police officer who helped get Crime Stoppers off the ground in Penticton following a riot in 1991 is now going to head the South Okanagan chapter of the organization.

Sgt. Rick Dellebuur announced his pending retirement from 38 years as an RCMP officer to members of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board on Thursday, May 7. At the same time, he and Supt. Kevin Hewco also announced Dellebuur’s successful candidacy as the new Crime Stoppers coordinator.

Dellebuur will take on the additional role of assisting with the City of Penticton’s community policing program in a role defined as the Crime Stoppers – Community Policing Coordinator.

Dellebuur’s retirement is scheduled to take place in the next two months. In the meantime, he will be transitioning into his new role in the Crime Stoppers organization, where he expects to be working out of the RCMP downtown office.

Dellebuur also served as media relations officer for the Penticton detachment. Hewco said another officer would be assuming those responsibilities, adding Dellebuur’s selection was a good one for the Penticton RCMP, as it 'retained corporate wisdom at a different table.'

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.