New RCMP boss will march at Steinbach Pride

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This article was published 26/06/2016 (2858 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Scott Kolody’s career might have taken a different path if his dad hadn’t taken him to see the RCMP Musical Ride when he was a youngster growing up in Windsor, Ontario.

Kolody, who has been in charge of criminal operations with the Manitoba RCMP since 2012, stepped into the role of Commanding Officer of the province’s force on Monday. The role came open after the promotion of former Commanding Officer Kevin Brosseau to serve as Deputy Commissioner, Contract and Aboriginal Policing, in Ottawa.

"I’m really excited about it," Kolody said just hours after officially taking command of the more than 1,000 officers in communities spread across the province.

"It has been a great career and where I am now is very humbling."

But that career may never have been if Kolody’s dad hadn’t gotten tickets decades ago to take his son to the musical ride.

"I was just a young pup," he said.

"One officer came up to me to and gave me a real positive image. That image stayed with me for a long time."

Kolody grew up, played hockey with the University of Windsor Lancers team and graduated from there with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Administration. He went on to get his Masters in Project Management at the Schulich School of Business and spent two years in the food industry.

But then that childhood image called to him again.

"As I learned more, about the adventure and serving in different parts of Canada it really resonated with me."

Kolody signed up and after training, followed by a short stint in Ottawa’s National Headquarters, he spent his first two decades with the force posted in Alberta, working in drug enforcement and the integrated proceeds of crime section. 

Kolody, married with three children, came to Manitoba in 2004 and in the 12 years since he has also served as East District commander and been in charge of both the force’s community, contract and aboriginal policing and the integrated proceeds of crime section.

Manitoba has also become home to Kolody and his family.

"When we moved here we didn’t know anyone," he said.

"The province is beautiful. The lakes. The different communities. The First Nations and the Metis communities… I really enjoy working with our indigenous communities. I want to continue with that because I think it is very important."

Kolody also wants to make the RCMP more visible in the communities, building on the bike patrol program begun in Portage la Prairie and foot patrols in Swan River and Dauphin.

"Front line officers are the backbone of the force," he said.

Along the way, Kolody has been honoured with awards including the Manitoba Award for Excellence in Policing, a Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery, and in 2014 he was appointed the Order of the Merit of Police Forces for his contributions to the country’s policing and the RCMP. He is also a national critical incident commander and negotiator for crisis, hostage or barricaded persons incidents.

But while Kolody may now be commander, is there still that little kid inside wanting to get on a horse with the musical ride?  

"I think I’m too old for it now," he said laughing.

Kolody to march ‘right beside’ Pride organizer

#rcmpmb #SteinbachPride pic.twitter.com/j3temFITBP

— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) June 27, 2016

Kolody said he plans to attend the first-ever pride march in Steinbach.

Kolody issued a statement calling the pride march a celebration of “diversity and inclusion.”

Kolody says he and other officers will be on hand July 9 and he will be part of the march.

The RCMP initially denied the march a permit due to street construction but now say they are reassessing the decision.

The planned event has stirred up controversy in the city of 14,000 southeast of Winnipeg — often referred to as the province’s bible belt — with many local politicians saying they will not attend.

Conservative member of Parliament Ted Falk has said he won’t be there because the event does not reflect his values.

Kolody said he spoke personally with the event’s organizer to tell her he will be marching by her side.

”I have also directed the Manitoba RCMP to provide all required resources to ensure participants can walk in Steinbach knowing they are safe, secure and have the RCMP by their side,” Kolody said in the statement.

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”I will be there. My officers will be there and I know this will be a great event for all.”

It’s not clear where Kolody and others will be marching. The RCMP say they are still reviewing a permit for the event, which will determine whether the march can be held on the street or on a sidewalk.

”Based on the clear direction of our commanding officer, the RCMP is actively working with the City of Steinbach and the organizers of the Steinbach pride march to determine a city route for the event,” RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Bert Paquet said in a statement Monday. “The exact route of the march has not yet been finalized.”

— with files from The Canadian Press

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.

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