The RCMP made history at a change of command ceremony Jan. 13 when Staff Sgt. Noel Allard signed command of The Pas detachment over to the new commander – his son Staff Sgt. Jeremy Allard.
It was the first time in the modern history of the force that a father passed the reins of a detachment to his son.
“I am honoured to say that The Pas/OCN is getting a younger, more educated and highly respected detachment commander,” said Staff Sgt. Noel Allard. “But then, I may be biased. The members of The Pas are fortunate to be under the command of Jeremy, and I feel assured that I am leaving my post in good hands.”
The new commander is very familiar with Northern Manitoba, having grown up in the region before being stationed in northern Saskatchewan after graduating from RCMP Depot. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Allard first signed up to be a Mountie while living in Cranberry Portage and wrote his entrance exam in The Pas in 2001.
“I’m excited to be home and closer to family,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Allard. “The Pas is known as a great place to live and work, and I’m looking forward to being part of that. Taking over from my dad has made this very special for me.”
The Allard family is originally from St. Laurent but have made Northern Manitoba their home for many years. Staff Sgt. Noel Allard will continue to serve in the north in an advisory role at the RCMP North District office in Thompson.
The change of command ceremony was attended by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brousseau, the commanding officer of the RCMP in Manitoba, as well as Chief Superintendent Scott Kolody, the officer in charge of criminal operations in Manitoba, and Superintendent Kevin Violot, North District commander, along with Churchill MP Niki Ashton, The Pas Mayor Jim Scott, Opaskwayak Cree Nation Chief Michael Constant and Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand.
“This is what it is all about,” said Brosseau. “The RCMP is a family. The command of The Pas detachment is not the only thing passed from father to son. Pride in serving and pride for the force is also a big part of the Allard family’s commitment to community.”
