For Cpl. Heinz Krauss being a part of the West Shore RCMP is like being on a circus ride.
When he walks into the detachment on Atkins Avenue for his shift, he doesnB次元官网网址檛 know what to expect, and every day brings something new. Even after serving with the force for the last four decades, itB次元官网网址檚 a ride he doesnB次元官网网址檛 plan on getting off anytime soon.
B次元官网网址淎s much as you joke sometimes about same day, same thing, it really never is, even if it is the same people doing the same things,B次元官网网址� said Krauss, who celebrated his 40th year with the RCMP on Jan. 31.
B次元官网网址淚f this were a circus ride, IB次元官网网址檇 be in line constantly. ItB次元官网网址檚 the best ride out there.B次元官网网址�
Celebrating 40 Years in the RCMP Cpl. Heniz Krauss of the Traffic Section. Joined in 1978 and showing no signs of slowing down. Congrats Cpl. Krauss. 馃殧
B次元官网网址� West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP)
KraussB次元官网网址� journey with the RCMP began in high school when he was asked to pick a topic and write an essay about it. Growing up in Ontario, there was very little RCMP presence and up until that point, Krauss had only seen RCMP officers on post cards. While he admits heB次元官网网址檚 not sure why he settled on the RCMP, Krauss ended up writing a piece about the history of the force.
By the time Krauss had completed the project, he decided he wanted to be involved in B次元官网网址渞eal-life situationsB次元官网网址� and becoming an officer with the RCMP allowed him to do that.
B次元官网网址淚 think I was always interested in police work without even realizing it,B次元官网网址� he said.
After graduating from high school, Krauss completed six months of training at the RCMPB次元官网网址檚 depot in Regina B次元官网网址� a time he B次元官网网址渄idnB次元官网网址檛 mind all that much.B次元官网网址� And after completing the training, packed his bags and headed for the West Coast, where he would go on to serve most of his 40-year career.
Originally stationed in what he called the B次元官网网址淕olden Triangle,B次元官网网址� consisting of Langley, Prince George and Surrey, he served in a variety of units from uniform patrol to general investigation. At one point, he was also on the strike force and spent 15 years in the drug section.
RELATED: ICBC speed campaign shows drivers whatB次元官网网址檚 at stake
It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until last March when he was assigned to the West Shore detachment and is now at the helm of the relatively new traffic section, responsible for road safety, including enforcement and working with ICBC on a number of safety campaigns mainly targeting distracted or drunk driving.
In the last year heB次元官网网址檚 served the western communities, Krauss still canB次元官网网址檛 believe the difference in attitudes of residents on the Island compared to those in the Lower Mainland.
For example, when Krauss was out on patrol about a month ago, he pulled over a woman for speeding. He initially gave her a warning, when she surprised him and asked for a ticket.
B次元官网网址淭hat is a common attitude,B次元官网网址� said the 61-year-old. B次元官网网址淭he people here are amazing. TheyB次元官网网址檙e supportive of our actions. If weB次元官网网址檙e doing enforcement in a particular area or a particular road, IB次元官网网址檓 astonished at how many people will come by and thank us, as opposed to the one-finger salutes I was used to in the Lower Mainland.B次元官网网址�
RELATED: West Shore RCMP, ICBC continue to enforce distracted driving law
Not only has Krauss enjoyed making local roads safer, heB次元官网网址檚 created an unbreakable bond with officers, who all went through similar training.
B次元官网网址淭he work has been absolutely rewarding. The force is what I would consider my big family,B次元官网网址� he said, adding he has no plans to retire from the force just yet.
B次元官网网址淎s long as the corners of the mouth go up, IB次元官网网址檓 staying, if theyB次元官网网址檙e turned down the other way, thatB次元官网网址檚 probably time to move on because youB次元官网网址檙e no longer enjoying it.B次元官网网址�
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