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New RCMP commander for Fort Simpson
Acting Sgt. Robert Gallant arrives from Hay River

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, August 25, 2011

LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Serving in a small Northern community is a posting that acting Sgt. Robert Gallant has looked forward to throughout his career with the RCMP.

NNSL photo/graphic

Acting Sgt. Robert Gallant, the new RCMP detachment commander in Fort Simpson, is looking forward to serving the smaller communities in the Deh Cho. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Gallant is the new commander for the RCMP detachment in Fort Simpson. Speaking on Aug. 18, his second day on the job, Gallant said many of his experiences in his career have helped lead to this point.

Gallant, 43, was born in Montreal in 1968. His family had moved there from New Brunswick to escape harsh economic times on the east coast. Gallant, who was the 11th of 12 children, was eight when the family moved back.

"My dream was always to be a member of the RCMP," he said.

This dream was fuelled by television shows and early role models. While studying martial arts he met a number of police officers and saw the authority that came with being in the RCMP.

When Gallant was ready to join the RCMP, however, the training centre was closed because staffing levels meant new recruits weren't needed. Instead Gallant joined the military in 1991 to gain life skills and experiences that could lead to later opportunities.

Gallant became a military policeman, a position that took him around the world. Ten years, later in the rank of Master-Corporal, Gallant's military career was advancing but he left it all to join the RCMP.

Gallant's first posting was in Kingston, N.S., from 2001 to 2007. During that time Gallant had the opportunity to spend 10 months in Haiti as a United Nations police officer. He spent four months doing intelligence and patrols and then six months as the bodyguard for the head of the Haitian national police and the head of UN police.

Back in Nova Scotia, Gallant wanted to do his next posting in the North but was instead asked to join the protection detail for the prime minister.

For two years he was part of the team that protected Stephen Harper, his wife and two children in Ottawa at their official residence and whenever they travelled abroad.

"It's a great experience," he said.

Having watched shows like North of 60 and heard other members speak about it, Gallant still wanted to come North. In May 2009 he took a position in Hay River that opened up when Sgt. Ron Prangnell moved to Fort Simpson.

Hay River is nice but it's like a northern Alberta town, said Gallant.

After two years and still looking for a Northern experience, Gallant heard that Prangnell was leaving Fort Simpson and applied for his position as detachment commander.

Gallant said he's ready to face the challenges of policing small communities including Jean Marie River, Wrigley and Trout Lake. He said he's drawing on the knowledge of his constables as he familiarizes himself with the region.

Having committed to spending three years in Fort Simpson, Gallant said his goal is to see as much of the region as possible, including places such as Nahanni Butte and Little Doctor Lake.

"I'm more of the outdoor type of person," he said.

He also plans to get involved in the local cadet unit like he did in Hay River.

Gallant is the fourth of five recent arrivals at the detachment. Other new members include Const. Sebastian Hebert, Const. Trish Clough, Const. Nathan Jacobson and Cpl. Jack Ashford.

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