Saying goodbye to Cpl. Dave Fraser

By Heather Killen

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Even though he’s proud to stand out in serge, RCMP Cpl. Dave Fraser is going to blend with the suits again.

Fraser, who has served as the commanding officer for Middleton’s community office, has been promoted to sergeant and will be responsible for coordinating VIP Security for the province. In January, he will leave this two-year post in Middleton and begin his new job. This promotion will have him reaching to the back of his closet to dig out his old duds.

He began his career in Ontario as a plainclothes officer, and had never known what it was like to serve as a visible member of the force, wearing a uniform to the job, until he came back to Nova Scotia five years ago.

For 22 years, Fraser had spent his career behind the scenes engaged in a variety of specialty work for the force. His behind-the-scenes know-how and special training in surveillance work, VIP protection, emergency response tactical team, customs and organized crime, didn't give him an edge on his home territory when he and his family moved to Lunenburg in 2003.

Still, he said he relished the chance to be home again and gladly took on the challenge of a cop on patrol. "I always felt like I was missing something," he said. "So when I was posted back to my home province and given the opportunity to serve in uniform, I couldn't believe my luck. I had to pinch myself. I'd come full circle and had accomplished everything I wanted at that point."

Accustomed to working under Ontario laws, Fraser gave himself a crash course on a milieu of municipal, provincial, and federal laws -- and took on the various roles of a general duty officer. "Even though I had a lot of service behind me, it was still a steep learning curve," he added. "In one shift you can go from an impaired driver, to some drug work, then attend a domestic dispute, and maybe end the shift with a fraud investigation."

This multi-faceted work in Queens County was a big change from his last job investigating the mob in Toronto. Three years later another opportunity opened in Middleton. Fraser replaced David Cunningham, who was deployed in 2006 on a United Nations mission. "It was a promotion for me," he said. "It was an opportunity to run a community office, which is a bit like a mini detachment. This is a full-service office and the community expects full service when they walk in the door."

TOWN’S CONCERNS

He added that he's done his best to address the town's concerns and balance the realities of fiscal constraint. The force's visibility is a common concern in many communities, especially here in Middleton. But Fraser said he understands that people feel safer when they see officers out and about in the communities. "There's never been a negative, I've had a lot of support from the town," he said. "People have offered words of encouragement. Seniors will see my uniform and are so open and friendly to me."

Until he came to Nova Scotia, he had no idea what it was like to be identified as an RCMP officer. "Every shift is an opportunity to make a difference,” he said. "The majority of days here have been good ones."

He added that he may encounter a problem during his shift that doesn't actually fall within his job description or responsibility, but because he's done something to help someone it brightens his day. "My intervention, even a small one sometimes, makes a big difference," he said. "Like taking time to talk to a young offender. Maybe it doesn't make it difference, or maybe it will someday."

Fraser said for him, the highlight of his service in uniform has been wearing the force's signature red serge especially during the Remembrance Day services. "Last year, after the service we visited the Veterans Wing at Soldiers Memorial Hospital," he said. "We were with the piper, going room to room to pay respect to the veterans who were too ill to make the service. As soon as they saw the piper, they automatically raised their hand in a salute. For me to go in there and recognize their sacrifice - that red serge told them we didn't forget."

RED SERGE SYMBOL

Because red serge is universally recognized, when he puts on the scarlet uniform he said he’s conscious that he wears the accomplishments of the force, but he bears the weight of public disappointment. "Sometimes it's a hard image to live up to," he said. "I'm always aware that I'm not just representing myself, I'm part of a national police force, and the majority of people recognize the Mounties as a symbol of Canada."

Fraser said he’s now been working towards creating a seamless transition for the office. He added that although his replacement hasn't been officially appointed, there would be no waiting time. His replacement will take over as soon as he leaves the position.

He added that he's enjoyed Middleton, and will miss getting his sandwich from Gerry's. This posting offered him the opportunity to work with six of the finest officers he's known. And that it’s been his pleasure to make it a priority to be visible within the community. "Some days you can make a difference," he said. " People turn to this uniform as a last resort. Maybe it's a small gesture on my part, but sometimes it doesn't take a lot to make a big difference. And when you leave at the end of the shift you think, now that was a good day."