Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 24/03) - Brian Winters' tour of the North is winding down in the Deh Cho.

With more than 34 years of RCMP service under his belt, Sgt. Winters took charge of the Fort Simpson detachment on Dec. 18.

Sgt. Brian Winters has been in charge of the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment since December. He took over from Sgt. Bill Eubank, who departed for an international policing assignment in Bosnia-Herzegovina. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

In the month since he's arrived, Winters said he's noticed that there are fewer crimes and fewer prisoners than in Tuktoyaktuk. He ran the detachment there for two-and-a-half years.

"I find this town really peaceful. People here are extremely friendly," he said, adding that he is anxiously awaiting to tee off on the golf course too. "I can't think of a better spot to spend my last years on the force than in Fort Simpson."

As he prepared the monthly report for December, he noted that there were no calls for police assistance from Wrigley or Jean Marie River, "which is great," he said. The Fort Simpson detachment is also responsible for those two communities.

Winters said he has sent a letter introducing himself to their respective chiefs and councils. A meeting in person will likely come in the near future, he added.

He said he has an open-door policy for those with crime and safety concerns.

"I'll sit down and talk to anybody," he said.

When he's not conversing with the public, Winters is busy looking after his administrative duties. He oversees the maintenance of the detachment building and its vehicles as well as finances. He is also responsible for staff. The vacant corporal's position is to be filled by a familiar face. Cpl. Alan Shepherd, who worked for Winters in Tuktoyaktuk for six months, is due to arrive in Fort Simpson in early March.

Previous Northern stops for Winters, who is originally from Nova Scotia, and his wife, Rhonda, have included Clyde River, Yellowknife, Fort Resolution and Iqaluit. Fort Simpson holds another advantage over the Arctic, he added.

"It's nice to be back on the road system again," he said, smiling. "And it's nice to be back in the trees and see the sunshine."