The man who has been the acting detachment commander at the Kelowna RCMP for the last three months is having the word "acting" removed from his title.
RCMP Insp. Brent Mundle has been named the new permanent head of the RCMP at the city detachment.
The promotion was announced Wednesday by Chief Supt. Brad Haugli, commander of the B.C. RCMP’s Southeast District, in consultation with Kelowna city manager Ron Mattiussi.
"Brent has done a tremendous job of being in the acting detachment commander position since September,” said Haugli.
“His wealth of operational policing knowledge, coupled with his record of engagement in community activities make him highly qualified to assume this command. I am confident that, through Brent's leadership, the Kelowna RCMP will continue to keep the community's safety a top priority."
Mundle is a 23-year veteran of the RCMP, serving in a number of capacities in communities throughout Alberta before returning to his home province in 2016 to serve as operations officer at the Kelowna detachment.
He replaces former Supt. Nick Romanchuk who suddenly retired in September, just as an announcement was made that an investigation was underway into an unidentified individual at the Kelowna RCMP.
No one was named as the subject of the investigation, which was done by the Abbotsford police at the request of the RCMP. At the time of his retirement, Romanchuck had been off the job for several weeks.
On Nov. 30, the Abbotsford Police Department announced it had wrapped up its investigation of what it said was a single complaint against an individual at the Kelowna RCMP detachment. It said it found no evidence a criminal offence was committed.
On Wednesday, Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said Mundle has been impressive during his short stint as acting commander.
"Council has been impressed with his thoroughness as a commander,” said Basran. “He has a clear vision of what the policing priorities are for the Central Okanagan and the necessary experience to accomplish those priorities with the detachment’s dedicated members.”
Despite the fact he has already appeared before council at public meetings, been quoted in the media and most recently represented the RCM at council's annual budget deliberations, Mundle will be formally introduce to the community at a news conference to be scheduled early in the New Year.