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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
An RCMP officer serving in Fort Simpson has been honoured for his work overseas and his involvement with youth.

After receiving their Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals, Auxiliary Const. Lee Cazon, left, and Sgt. Rob Gallant, right, stand with Chief Supt. Wade Blake during an awards ceremony in Yellowknife on Nov. 27. - photo courtesy of RCMP G Division

Sgt. Rob Gallant was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal during a ceremony in Yellowknife, Nov. 27. The medal honours significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

"It's an honour," said Gallant, about receiving the award.

The medal is a constant reminder of the work you've done, he said. Gallant's work has included promoting peace in volatile parts of the world.

While a military police officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, Gallant worked with the United Nations in Haiti from 1996 to 1997. From 1998 to 2000 he worked as military security guard providing security for an embassy in Algeria and doing intelligence work.

After joining the RCMP, Gallant returned to Haiti for 10 months between 2005 and 2006. During that time, he policed the streets and also worked with the intelligence section of the United Nations. Gallant also spent six months as a bodyguard for the head of Hatian national police and the head of UN police. Part of his duties also included teaching members of the Hatian police how to provide close protection.

Value of peace

Gallant said his work involved trying to bring the value of peace, as we know it in Canada, to the people of different countries.

"I'm the first one to volunteer to make a difference," he said.

Gallant has also worked to make a difference in the lives of youths.

Between 2001 and 2002 Gallant was an instructor in Nova Scotia with the RCMP Stetsons and Spurs program for youth. In 2003 he became a civilian instructor with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets program and later enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces reserves to be an officer cadet.

Gallant worked with cadet corps in Nova Scotia and Ottawa and continued that commitment when he transferred to Hay River in 2009. Gallant became the training officer for the corps, which grew from 12 to 48 cadets before he transferred to Fort Simpson in 2011.

Since moving to the village, Gallant has been working with the 2860 Cadet Corps. One of the reasons Gallant got involved in the cadet program is because he was a cadet as a youth.

"It really helped me out," he said. "I want to pass it back."

Gallant said his work with youth also ties into the national priorities of the RCMP and the priorities of the Fort Simpson detachment to focus on youth.

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