A familiar face has returned to the ranks of local RCMP.
Staff Sergeant Raj Sidhu is the new unit commander for the Prince George Regional Traffic Services, North District RCMP Traffic Services Inspector Martin Dey said Friday.
Originally from Montreal, Sidhu joined the RCMP in 1995 and Prince George RCMP was his first posting.
"The work was educational and plentiful, but the natural beauty and amenities in the area allowed many recreational opportunities for my entire family," Sidhu said. "The majority of my service has been in the North District area where I have built positive and harmonious relationships with people from all walks of life."
While at Prince George RCMP, he graduated from general duty to the general investigation unit, where he worked in various sub-units, from property crime to drugs to gang activity.
He was later seconded to a division major crime unit project and investigated a number of unsolved homicides linked to organized crime.
Following this, he was named to a general investigative section task force and launched initiatives to combat gang violence.
In 2009, he became the operations non-commissioned officer at the newly-established North District Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit focussed on suppressing organized crime.
A series of major arrests and convictions followed.
In 2013, he transferred to Red Deer RCMP where he was in charge of the professional standards unit.
"The friendliness and warmth of the people in Prince George has pulled me back here," Sidhu said. "I have spent over 18 years in Prince George and we - my family and I - have adopted it as our home town.
"I am thrilled to be able to continue my service in Prince George and be engaged with people throughout the North District."
