Pubdate: Wed, 11 Nov 2009
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Frank Bucholtz

PLENTY OF CHALLENGES FOR NEW CHIEF

Langley's new police chief, Supt. Derek Cooke, will have no shortage 
of challenges as he takes over as officer in charge of Langley RCMP detachment.

Langley police have had many significant investigations over the past year.

Some of the biggest were dealing with several very serious cases that 
are part of the much larger Lower Mainland gang war.

There was the very public execution of Kevin LeClair at the 
Thunderbird Village shopping centre in February, and several other 
gangland shootings. There was also a very serious beating 
administered to a gang member.

Police have also been dealing with a raft of small-scale drug 
dealers, some of whom have set up shop in Willoughby, in rental homes 
that are scheduled to be torn down. These people have no respect for 
anyone, and are public nuisances and dangers to anyone who happens to 
come anywhere near them.

There have been a number of serious motorcycle crashes, and these are 
not easy to investigate, given the severity of injuries that 
motorcyclists involved in crashes suffer.

Break-ins and robberies continue at much the same pace as they have, 
although police initiatives to put foot patrols in place in both 
Aldergrove and Langley City's downtown have helped to make a difference.

Assaults continue as well, with many of them related to drunkenness 
or drug taking. These are never easy for police to deal with, as they 
often must endure very hostile hangers-on in these situations.

Police have also had more than their share of dealings with teens. 
These have been a number of serious assaults involving teens, often 
outside high schools. One particularly bad assault has led to a 
father filing a lawsuit against the Township.

While it is easy to criticize police, due to the highly-controversial 
nature of some of their work and the public scrutiny that they are 
often under (and should be prepared to face in a democratic society), 
it is also important to note that the vast majority of police 
encounters with the public are professional. Their job is to strive 
to resolve difficult issues in a peacful manner - and they usually succeed.

Langley RCMP officers generally have a good reputation with most 
Langley citizens, and they maintain that reputation while performing 
tasks that most of us would not want to do.
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