New officer takes the reins at Vernon RCMP detachment

Supt. Jim McNamara

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

October 15, 2015 - 8:36 AM

VERNON - There’s a new top cop in the City of Vernon.

Insp. Jim McNamara has been the acting superintendent of the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP since Reg Burgess retired in March 2015, and on Wednesday, Oct. 14, he was officially promoted to the position.

"On behalf of Council and the staff of the City of Vernon, we are pleased by the appointment of Supt. Jim McNamara,” Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund said in a media release. “In the last number of months in his role as acting superintendent, Jim has demonstrated a strong commitment to communication with the City and engagement with the citizens of Vernon and the North Okanagan. His leadership skills and vast knowledge base will benefit the organization, the community and the region.”

McNamara has 30 years of experience in policing, primarily in operational and front-line duties. He first came to the Vernon detachment in 2010 and oversaw day-to-day operations.

Before coming to Vernon, McNamara worked in an advisory role for the B.C. RCMP in its Southeast District office. His previous experience also includes watch and operations commands, command of the Tactical Troop, and oversight of crime prevention and victim services for a large Lower Mainland detachment. All his policing service is within B.C. Both he and his wife are active in the community professionally and personally, and he is a member of Vernon Rotary.

“During his service with Vernon-North Okanagan detachment, Jim built strong relationships with local government officials and First Nations communities,” Chief Superintendent Brad Haugli, with the B.C. RCMP Southeast District said. “Those relationships were instrumental in his being named to head the detachment. Policing is very much something we do in partnership with our communities.”

McNamara however, turned the spotlight on the staff at the Vernon/North Okanagan detachment.

“The detachment has an incredible group of competent, capable and dedicated employees, police officers and volunteers,” he said. “And they do a fantastic job of working with the community to help keep all of us safe.”

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— The headline on this story was edited at 9:34 a.m. Oct. 15, 2015 to correct a spelling mistake.