For the first time ever, RCMP North District will have a full-time communications officer.
Const. Lesley Smith is the first to hold the post. She is familiar to the Prince George public as both a hometown girl and the former media liaison for the city's police detachment.
Now she will be the spokesperson for most police activities across the northern region.
"For many years there was a recognized need for a media liaison officer in the North District," said acting regional commander Supt. Rod Booth. "Lesley was my first choice to start the position off."
She will hold the job on an interim basis and is a candidate for the permanent position being filled later this year.
"I am warming up the position so when it is off and running, no matter who is in the position, we know where it is going into the future," Smith said.
The position does not merely act as a figurehead for the news. The quick and accurate spread of public information can be critical to the area's safety and economy.
For example, the closure of any B.C. highway can cost the
provincial economy anywhere from $3 million to $8 million per hour, according to senior police, so being able to direct motorists and commercial traffic around crash sites is important.
The position is a vital conduit when dealing with environmental incidents, armed standoffs, amber alerts and any number of other emergencies.
"The primary objective is to get the public the information they need as soon as possible and as accurately as possible," said Booth.
