JULY 1, 2020
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Life as a Member of the RCMP Rosanne Fortier as the people we meet every day), and ing and trying to resolve it,”” Cpl. detachments in a relief capacity.” News Correspondent When I asked Cpl. Drinkwater what with this comes the challenges of Drinkwater explained. “The rewardCpl. Leigh Drinkwater from the his life was like as a front line worker applying working with the various leg- ing aspects of the job for me range Vegreville RCMP said he decided to and first responder, he said, “The best islation (federal, provincial and munic- from being able to really help people, become a police officer acquiring new skills and because his dad was a municknowledge, and the camaradeipal police officer, and he rie I share with my colleagues. enjoyed his father’s stories I have developed friendships and hearing about the work that will last a lifetime.” he did. Cpl. Drinkwater said he felt “My father really enjoyed it was important to take care his work as a police officer. of his physical and mental As well, when I was 11, I health with a career like this. read an article about the “I have a very supportive famRCMP recruiting and trainily, and very close friends that ing in a magazine. That’s I can reach out to when I need when I decided I wanted to to. Hobbies help too. I really not simply be a police offienjoy spending time refinishcer, but a Mountie,” said ing old pieces of furniture, to Cpl. Drinkwater. building small furniture items. Cpl. Drinkwater went on to And of course, walks with the say he has been a police offidog, and getting away campcer for 16 years now, where ing with the family.” he served in four postings in “Policing is a career that Northern Alberta. “I have can be incredibly rewarding, Cpl. Leigh Drinkwater of the Vegreville RCMP in formal uniform during Canada Day celebrations in 2016. held positions in municipal while at the same time can units, provincial units, be incredibly challenging and Community Policing/Media Relations, part of a career as a first responder is ipal) in order to follow through with of course, not without risks. I have Provincial Traffic, and Operations that every day has the potential to the investigation. enjoyed it immensely during my The biggest challenge is seeing peo- time and look forward to what the NCO at two detachments and have present something different, or entirebeen a field coach to new recruits. As ly new. As a police officer, it can be new ple often at their worst, and working future holds.” well, I have served in many other investigations (which can be as diverse through the problems they maybe hav-
