Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 03/98) - Fort Liard might never be the same.

Recently, the community lost one of its most dedicated RCMP officers.

Const. Darren Simons, 31, will soon be posted to Gleichen, Alta., after two years on the beat in Fort Liard.

"The community and the people," is how Simons responded earlier this week when asked what he'll miss about serving in the NWT's most southerly community. "They were friendly and always supportive of my work and efforts. It (Fort Liard) was definitely my high point in the North."

Before the Deh Cho, Simons served in the High Arctic and did relief RCMP work across the western NWT.

A volunteer firefighter, tireless coach and always one to give of his time at the school in Fort Liard, Simons was a true believer in community policing.

"Community-based policing wouldn't be anything without community support for the detachment," he said. "And, I felt I always had this support in Fort Liard."

"I had lots of friends and if I named one I'd have to name them all."

One high point of his service in Fort Liard was meeting his girlfriend, Tracy, while she also worked there.

His Gleichen posting will mean he's closer to her Canmore, Alta., home.

Good luck in the future, Const. Simons.