Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 16/99) - After 30 years of service in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, most of them served in the North, Sgt. Bill Code has one more assignment, and it's a big one.

He's going to Kosovo with the RCMP's peacekeeping force.

"After 30 years, I thought this would be a good way to end my career, on a peacekeeping role," says Code, who heads for Ottawa Wednesday and could be en route to the Balkans by Aug. 1.

"When I get back, I'll clear my desk out and retire from the RCMP."

Code took time out last Friday, between packing and getting 20 shots in the arm at the doctor's office, to talk to the Yellowknifer about the assignment.

The RCMP, in connection with the United Nations, will be sending several members over. It's a role the force has a great deal of experience with. They've sent peacekeepers abroad before: Bosnia, Croatia and Namibia are a few examples.

Code, who works in the RCMP's criminal operations division, said some of the group heading over have Northern experience. Among them is Ralph LaPierre, who has been stationed in Yellowknife as well as the Eastern Arctic.

Once in Ottawa, Code said he expects there will be background training about the region and briefings about the role RCMP officers will play.

"I believe (the assignment) we'll be armed."

Law and order will be among the RCMP's roles in the region. Canadian officers will provide advice and training as a new police force is to be set up in Kosovo.

"They will draw on a lot of the expertise of the RCMP, one of the, if not the, best police force in the world," Code said.

The RCMP's other roles include assisting humanitarian agencies, conducting independent investigations into human rights abuses and monitoring potential elections.

"There's lots to do," he said. Code expects the work will consist of 30 days work, then four or five days off.

He also said his family is naturally "apprehensive" about him heading to a war zone.

"But I've been talking about doing this. It's important for me to do this."