For the last seven years, Staff Sergeant Ron Poirier served as chief of police of the RCMP detachment in St.-Pierre-Jolys. As of February 1, 2016, the command has changed over to Sergeant Rheal Gravel.
Sergeant Gravel brings lots of experience to this new position. “I have 29 years of service with the RCMP, having served in Quebec in federal and international border enforcement.”
After transferring to Manitoba in 2002, Gravel served at the Powerpoint/Pine Falls detachment, at Winnipeg’s RCMP headquarters, and previously in St.-Pierre-Jolys. He has also worked in federal enforcement, and as a human resources officer. His many positions include Emergency Response Team member and the commander of a federal unit.
The detachment has 18 people on staff, 15 of whom are officers and three public service employees.
On top of their physical office, satellite officess are in the works. “We have two satellite offices situated in Niverville and Lorette which will be operational in the near future.”
“Proactive policing strategies with community involvement is my main objective,” Gravel says. “[Also] increased visibility of our members in the communities. Another goal of mine is to heighten service delivery and have ongoing reduction of criminal activity.”
This position is a good opportunity for Sergeant Gravel, as he worked previously as a corporal supervisor in St.-Pierre-Jolys from 2007–2010. “I always wanted the opportunity to return to St. Pierre as the unit commander," he says.
“My first day back to the community after being away for six years was like returning home,” Gravel adds. “I am eager to establish myself in my new functions to serve and protect the people of my detachment area.”
The St.-Pierre-Jolys detachment serves four rural municipalities: Tache, Hanover, DeSalaberry, and Ritchot.
Staff Sergeant Ron Poirier will be returning to Headquarters as the Senior Planning Analyst in the Operational Strategy Branch.
