Sunshine Coast RCMP will be under a new command in the next few weeks, as senior RCMP brass have appointed a "born and raised" Sunshine Coast man to the detachment's top post.
After an internal hiring process and vetting by leaders from the four local governments, the Lower Mainland District Regional Police Service has named Staff Sgt. Herb Berdahl as the Coast's new detachment commander.
Berdahl replaces Staff Sgt. Kevin Picard, who has been out on leave for the last two years, and Sgt. Russ Howard, who has been acting detachment commander in Picard's absence.
Berdahl said he is looking forward to leading the detachment and bringing a philosophy of open communication, inclusiveness and transparency to the post.
"I'm going to be very much in the administration of the unit and making sure we have an effective police service for the entire Coast," he said. "I think what's most important is being able to be approachable - approachable by the people who work in that detachment, approachable by the general public with their issues as well."
Berdahl said one of his first acts as detachment commander will be sitting down with leaders of the four local governments and getting a handle on what local priorities for policing are.
"You have to hear that from your stakeholders, the people who are there to represent the community, and I'm all about that, very much so. There's no miracle here, there's no magic wand, but I think communication with all your partners is extremely important," he said.
Berdahl grew up around the Sunshine Coast and graduated from Elphinstone Secondary School in 1974, where he had a reputation as a first-rate athlete. He worked in construction and volunteered as a Gibsons auxiliary constable until he joined the force in 1977. In his 33-year career, Berdahl has spent more than a decade as a duty officer in Alberta, four years in the Northwest Territories, as well as stints as a ranking officer and investigator in Kaslo, Courtenay and Kelowna. Most recently, Berdahl has been in charge of administration, staffing and support in the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team in Vancouver.
When he came across an internal job posting for the detachment commander position on the Sunshine Coast, he put his name forward for consideration, realizing it was a chance-in-a-lifetime to bring his career back to his hometown.
"I never really thought something like this was possible. It's an opportunity that very seldom ever comes up for police officers in the RCMP," he said.
Berdahl said that rare opportunity is now allowing him to do something all RCMP officers strive to do - give back to their own community.
"Whether it's my school teachers, my baseball coach, my rugby coach, my bosses when I worked in construction before I joined the force - those types of people had a great deal of influence on the person I am today. And you know what? I'd like to pay a little bit of that forward," he said.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk spoke highly of the first impression Berdahl made with him and other local government leaders, including Sunshine Coast Regional District chair Donna Shugar, Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster and Sechelt Indian Band Chief Garry Feschuk.
"He really impressed us all," Janyk said. "I've been through, in eleven years as mayor, probably half a dozen detachment commanders and staff sergeants. I think the candidate they've chosen is going to be real crackerjack."
Janyk added that Berdahl's appointment could not come at a better time for the Coast, and he has faith Berdahl will continue to strengthen bonds with Coast residents as Howard has done.
"I think the combination of a new detachment commander and a new judge on the Coast is something that bodes well for the community. I think [he] is going to be a real positive contribution to the community," Janyk added.
Inkster said Berdahl's home ties with the Coast are a big plus in his eyes.
"Having a detachment commander like Staff Sgt. Berdahl, with strong local connections, will benefit the detachment and the communities of the Sunshine Coast," Inkster said.
No date has been set for Berdahl assuming command, though RCMP transfers usually take about six weeks.
