Newest RCMP officer excited to come to Barrhead

Barrhead just seemed like the right fit.

That is how Barrhead’s newest RCMP Const. Joanne Lauer characterized her decision to accept placement with the local detachment.

Lauer, who is going into her 10th year on the force, transferred to Barrhead from Spirit River, a small community of about 1,000 people located less than an hour north of Grande Prairie.

“I’m really a small-town girl and the rural community lifestyle and the type of policing that happens in communities like Barrhead really appeals to me,” she said. “Plus the location is perfect. I grew up in a community just outside Edmonton and still have family there.”

Even though Lauer grew up in the area, she said she really did not know much about Barrhead before her transfer. The Leader spoke to Lauer in the middle of her third shift. Before coming to Barrhead in October on a house-hunting expedition the only other time she had been in the community was when she was on vacation at Thunder Lake.

“Just driving around the area it is hard to get over just how beautiful it is here,” she said.

Lauer added besides the lifestyle, the other reason why she requested Barrhead as her second posting is because of the detachment’s reputation.

“It’s a fantastic detachment with wonderful staff and I knew I could learn a lot from Sgt. [Bob] Dodds and Cpl. [Riley] Sutherland,” she said. “That really was the biggest thing. I really appreciated what I heard from them during my house hunting expedition and from the reputation they have in the policing community.”

As for some of Lauer’s interests outside of policing she said they mainly involve outdoor pursuits.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my horse with me, but I love to ride and hunt and I’m hoping to be able to spend some time on some of the lakes around here,” she said. “And most importantly, and I can’t emphasize this enough, I’m always up for a coffee.”

Since it is the holiday season Lauer wanted to take the opportunity to remind people of importance of not overindulging and driving impaired.

“The impacts of driving while impaired are potentially devastating, not only for those of the family left behind, but the driver themselves, who have to live with what they have done,” she said. “It’s a message I’m really passionate about and committed to getting out there.”

When asked about career goals, Lauer said she really hasn’t put too much thought into it.

“I just truly love policing and taking an active role in whatever community I happen to be in and Barrhead won’t be any different. It is definitely a place I can call home.”