There’s a new face at the Chestermere RCMP. Staff Sergeant Kathy Klassen is the new Detachment Commander of the neighbouring RCMP Detachment.

We spoke with Klassen who was first posted to Bassano and served in that community for over four years. “It's actually wonderful to be back down in Southern District working with the RCMP down here. I spent the last 12 years in Fort McMurray so even just the change of climate is very welcoming. I look forward to working with the Southern District, and all the members at the Chestermere Detachment,” she said.

In her first few weeks on the job as the Detachment Commander, she has been familiarizing herself with the community, networking and meeting with Chestermere groups and the new City Council.

“I’m adjusting to my new role as Detachment Commander. As this is a new position for me,” she said.

In terms for items she’d like to get started tackling, she explained that “Currently we're preparing for our upcoming new annual performance plans, so we're looking to do an online survey to get community engagement so we can see what our priorities are going to be for the next fiscal year.”

Klassen is also eager to see the results of a new youth survey being conducted in the community.

“I'm excited to see what the outcome of that is so we can see what police involvement can take place to help the youth in the community.”

“We are very pleased to welcome a new Staff Sergeant to Chestermere. We look forward to working with her and continuing our collaboration with the RCMP,” says Chestermere Mayor Jeff Colvin.

Klassen was born in Labrador and grew up in Gander, N.L. According to the RCMP, she is a long-time Albertan who has worked and lived in a number of communities. After graduating from university she moved to Alberta in 2001 to seek employment opportunities. She worked as the Program Coordinator with the Rocky Mountain House Victim Services Unit (VSU). This experience and her contact with the Criminal Justice system while working with VSU, inspired her to join the Alberta RCMP.

Staff Sergeant Klassen has been a member of the Alberta RCMP for close to 17 years. She was first posted to Bassano, Alta. When Bassano was her home, she fostered relationships within the community by working with the Citizens On Patrol organization. The relationships she developed with members of the Hutterite community have carried through to present day.

Klassen then made Fort McMurray her home when she transferred there in 2009 where she worked as a Constable and pursued promotional opportunities up to the rank of Staff Sergeant.