Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP today celebrated the official opening of the new Whitbourne RCMP detachment.
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Assistant Commissioner Peter Clark, Commanding Officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP marked the occasion with The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Her Worship Hilda Whelan, Mayor of Whitbourne. The new facility replaces the previous detachment which was built in 1952.
"We are very pleased to be a part of this community and proud of the partnerships we have with mayors and council, local community groups and the people we serve across the detachment area," said Assistant Commissioner Peter Clark, Commanding Officer of the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador. "This new, modern detachment will support our operations and officers as they work to ensure the safety and security of the people of Whitbourne and surrounding communities."
Part of today's ceremony included the singing of O Canada and the Ode to Newfoundland by Whitbourne RCMP Constable John Andrews and a blessing of the new building by Major Betty Thomas with The Salvation Army.
RCMP employees led the design and construction phases of the Whitbourne Detachment project and principle design was completed by DSRA Architecture in association with KMBR Architects Planners Inc. Construction work was completed by Bird Construction. The building's design was first used for the Ingonish, Nova Scotia RCMP detachment and will serve as a template for several future RCMP detachment projects in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Features of the new building include a state-of-the-art thermal design, automated lighting and plumbing fixtures, and a flexible design concept that will allow for future additions and renovations. The detachment also features a fully functional cell pavilion with secure cells, a breath-testing and fingerprinting area, and a secure bay for prisoner transfers.
The new Whitbourne RCMP Detachment became operational in January 2017 and provides a modern policing facility for officers as they continue to serve the approximately 10,000 residents of Whitbourne and surrounding areas.
RCMP officers work out of the detachment seven days a week, and front-counter service is available to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To contact the Whitbourne detachment, call 709-759-2600.