Province’s new top Mountie has Manitoba in his blood

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This article was published 10/05/2024 (828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s new top Mountie might be the first to have been born here.

“We are investigating that,” deadpanned Scott McMurchy, a 34-year veteran, who is two weeks into his job as assistant commissioner of the Manitoba RCMP. “We don’t know for sure. But it’s safe to say I’m the first in memory.”

McMurchy was most recently in charge of criminal operations in Manitoba.

“I’ve got 34 years of service and my family and I have moved nine times,” he said Friday. “This is my 13th different role with the RCMP… as Manitoba is my home, I am deeply committed to serving Manitobans.”

The top Mountie was born in Rossburn and bred in this province; he was raised in The Pas.

“I am proud that much of my service has been in Manitoba. I believe that the opportunity for varied experience in this province exceeds almost anywhere else.”

In fact, McMurchy said he hopes he can spread the policing bug he got at a young age to other young people.

“The opportunities are limitless. I look forward to encouraging young people to join the RCMP.”

He said while in The Pas his parents — his late dad was a teacher and education administrator while his mother is a retired nurse — were friends and neighbours with several RCMP officers.

“All I knew growing up in The Pas was they were our police and still are our police there. I never looked at any of the other police services.”

McMurchy graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor of arts, majoring in criminology, and was a summer student with the RCMP in 1988.

“It was a much different time than now. I was sent to Portage la Prairie as a student and I rode along with front-line services. We would go on calls for service… that sealed the deal for me.

He was 21 when he started.

McMurchy said he was first stationed in Saskatchewan because, at the time, Mounties were forbidden from serving immediately in their home province. He finally returned to Manitoba in 2005, being stationed in Gillam.

He was district operations officer for Manitoba North District and in charge of community and Indigenous policing services.

McMurchy said he will continue the force’s focus on reducing violent and property crime. He wants to maintain relationships with Indigenous leaders and consult rural Manitobans about their policing service.

“I’m lucky to live in Manitoba and I promise all Manitobans that I will work hard every day, side-by-side, with all the dedicated, talented employees of the RCMP, to keep you safe and happy in our beautiful province.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca