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Introducing a new face of the law on Bowen

Cst. Greg Copeland moves from Canada’s largest RCMP detachment to Bowen Island
Copeland
Greg Copeland, Bowen’s newest police officer, began work June 18.

 If you know any fishing hot spots, you might want to let Cst. Greg Copeland know.

New to the island, and living in his first-ever small town, Bowen’s newest police officer began work June 18.

Copeland grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa where he was a heavy-duty mechanic for many years. He immigrated to Canada in 2000 and continued machinery work in Alberta.

“I know what hard work means,” said Copeland. “I think that makes me realistic and sympathetic to sit­uations.”

Six years ago Copeland joined the RCMP in Surrey.

Copeland’s been a general duty officer, bike patrol officer, cellblock  constable, and has assisted gang enforcement, auto theft, property crime squads.

“I like to joke around,” he said, “but when business Greg is on, I’m business.”

After working in the RCMP’s largest detachment in Surrey, which has a staff of more than 1,000 peo­ple, Copeland requested Bowen as a change of scenery and pace.

“It’s a totally different style of policing,” said Copeland. “I want to get to know people and I want peo­ple to get to know me.”

Copeland says that off-duty he likes fishing and socializing, and hopes to get some pointers from locals.

For at least the next three years, Copeland’s living on Bowen with his family, which, come October, is expecting a new member.