'Policing has changed': Retiring RCMP officer reflects on 35 years on the force

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RCMP Superintendent Kara Triance (L) and Cpl. (retired) Frank Roberts (R)

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After 35 and a half years on the job, Kelowna RCMP officer Cpl. Frank Roberts is calling it a career.

Roberts says he loved his job but watched as policing changed radically over the years. "I feel like in this day and age we are policing the police more than the bad guys."

When he started more than three decades ago, he felt that policing was more proactive, "we weren't tied down to writing reports constantly and staring at a computer."

"There's so many hoops you have to jump through to get the same charge that we probably would have got 25 years ago and then we would have been back on the road catching someone else. That's not going away."

Despite those concerns, Roberts encourages anyone interested to become an RCMP officer. "I loved my job, especially the time I spent in the police dog services."

"Get in a section that you love and try to make yourself happy, don't look at the negative."

He says there are so many different jobs within the RCMP services that there is something for almost everyone.

Originally from the Toronto area, Roberts says he fell in love with B.C. and has never looked back, "I've been really lucky to be able to work and live here in the Okanagan. It's a good career."

Roberts started in the serious crimes unit before transferring to police dog services and he managed to see most of the province along the way.

"I was lucky enough to do the motorcycle escort back when Bill Clinton was here," he said, but Cpl. Roberts biggest connection was with the dogs he worked with.

"I was lucky enough to only work with three dogs over my 22-year career in police dog services. My first dog was Bear the second one was Taz, and the one I have now is Dex, he spent all his service time here in Kelowna. There's a different bond, they are with you through thick and thin."

Cpl. Roberts says the deaths of Bear and Taz hit him as hard as losing a family member.

Rest in peace PSD Taz. You served our community courageously, enthusiastically and tirelessly for 6 years. Your career was filled with highlights that will not be forgotten and your retirement years were so well earned. 10-7.
@SaanichPDK9 #goodboy pic.twitter.com/aJjMNfZGfF

— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) September 10, 2019

"It's a different feeling. It's just as hard as losing my parents, there's a different bond there."

Cpl. Roberts may be retiring but he won't be gone for long, he plans to return to the detachment as an RCMP reservist, "I gotta be honest with you, I've had good experiences, and I find the new management, they're really trying."

"I want to come back and just bring my knowledge as a reserve, and Kelowna's bringing me back as one of the training officers."