PG's top cop 'very happy' with job

Another piece of history will soon get stitched into Chief Supt. Brenda Butterworth-Carr's RCMP resume.

Mountie headquarters in Ottawa has tapped Butterworth-Carr to be the head of aboriginal policing programs across Canada, it was announced this week. She leaves two years after taking over leadership of the Prince George detachment.

The national aboriginal policing program lead is a position that has only existed for two others: Chief Supt. Doug Reti and Chief Supt. Russ Mirasty.

"I think my experiences will stand me in good stead in this new opportunity," she told The Citizen.

Butterworth-Carr had initially agreed to head the city's detachment for three years.

She said she is not thrilled to be leaving a community she's grown to call home. Her sons were here with her but all three are now old enough to be on their own. She was a member of several local committees and took part in recreational activities, so Prince George has been very much her home, so it's an emotional time.

"I think we have a terrific crew here, and we have very good partnerships within the community," she said. "The community as a whole has supported us, and that has always impressed me about Prince George - they care about their community and they want to make a difference."

Butterworth-Carr comes from the Tr'ondek Hwech'in (Han) First Nation based at Dawson City, Yukon. Her first position with the RCMP was as a Special Const. dedicated to aboriginal policing.

She was later promoted to the lead position for the RCMP's First Nations policing programs in E-Division (B.C. and Yukon), then to Insp. at North District headquarters in Prince George, where she was heavily involved with the day-to-today operations of all the region's community detachments, including a heavy emphasis on the aboriginal complexion of the north. That was in 2005.

Two years ago she kept her home address but was promoted to be the Prince George detachment's commander.

"I think things have come full circle for me," she said.

"I fully expect I will be out in the field, working closely with the other officers in charge of aboriginal policing in Canada. I will also have a focus on community policing, so that is exciting for me."

There is no set timetable for her departure as details of her relocation and the sale of her Prince George home still need to be sorted.

Meanwhile, the process of looking for a new superintendent begins. The RCMP will make the final decision but the city can provide input, Mayor Dan Rogers said.

"We have good co-operation with the RCMP and their hiring practices, that we get an opportunity to get engaged once they get to a shortlist and ensure that it's a good fit for council and council's priorities and the community's."

Rogers said he met the news with mixed emotions, calling it a gain for Ottawa and a loss for Prince George. He added Butterworth-Carr's promotion was not a surprise.

"I believe that she performed extremely well in understanding council's priorities in the time she was here."

In particularly, he pointed to the forming a five-member unit dedicated to patrolling the downtown.

"She was very active in working with the judiciary, working with community organizations to prevent crime before it happened."

After a posting, the municipality and national RCMP headquarters will collaborate on a shortlist and a final selection.

"Prince George is certainly a sought-after detachment," said Butterworth-Carr. "There is a lot of policing and a lot of variety here. I know when I went through the process there were a lot of candidates, and I expect in this case it will be the same."

Is there an initiative she most wants to see finished before she leaves?

"I'd love to see them all finished. The best that I can do is ensure there is a solid foundation for whomever comes in," she said, adding, "I am very happy with (the last two years)."