New RCMP Officer in Command Named for Duncan/North Cowichan Detachment

The Municipality of North Cowichan is pleased to announce that Staff Sergeant Chris Bear has been selected as the new Officer in Command (OIC) and will be promoted to Inspector of the Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP detachment. He replaces Superintendent Ray Carfantan, who was the Officer in Charge since October 2013.

A panel consisting of several senior RCMP representatives, Acting Mayor Kate Marsh, Mayor Phil Kent, and Calvin Swustus, Justice Coordinator for Cowichan Tribes held interviews last Thursday and Staff Sergeant Chris Bear was chosen as the successful applicant.

Staff Sergeant Bear was promoted internally from the role of Operations for the detachment, where he was second in command. The 24 year veteran of the RCMP has made the Cowichan Valley his home since 2006. During this time, he has held several positions within the Duncan/North Cowichan detachment as well as Aboriginal Policing Services in the Victoria Island District Headquarters. Prior to coming to Vancouver Island, Staff Sergeant Bear spent 12 years in several different detachments throughout the Yukon Territory.

“Staff Sergeant Bear understands policing in the Cowichan community and we are thrilled to have an officer of his calibre as Inspector of the Duncan/North Cowichan detachment,” says Jon Lefebure, Mayor of North Cowichan.

“My family and I are extremely happy to be given this opportunity”, says Staff Sergeant Bear. “There is some amazing work being done in collaboration with the community and I look forward to building upon those successes.”