Longtime RCMP Sergeant Finds New Role in Community

Mark Morehouse’s career with the RCMP began in 1986. Originally from New Brunswick, he wanted to return to the maritimes after completing his training at Depot, but he ended up posted to Toronto for the next 11 years. Following that, in 1997, he transferred to the community of Carberry about a half hour to the south of Neepawa where he spend the next 8 years. Those moves were timed to cause as little disruption to his sons’ lives as he could, but after that he had three more postings over the next seven years before landing back in Neepawa for the remainder of his career.

Neepawa was always endgame for the family, as his wife worked out of the Neepawa Health Unit for over twenty years and their sons ended up in the nearby city of Brandon. This year Morehouse retired after 36 years with the RCMP, the last six of those as the acting staff sergeant for the Neepawa detachment. When asked about the highlights of his career, he said he wasn’t sure if it was a highlight but one of his most memorable cases was working on the Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka case while posted to Toronto.

Before retirement he’d already been in talks with the Town of Neepawa about becoming the town’s first bylaw enforcement officer, and despite his and his wife’s decision to move to Brandon to be able to spend more time with their toddler grandchildren, he still accepted the position. The commute to Brandon is only 45 minutes each way, which it turns out is less than half of his daily commute while in posted to Toronto.

Morehouse comments on the importance of getting involved with your community, and giving back to the community that’s giving to you. Over the years he has been involved in on several boards including the golf course and the community foundation. Interviewer Wayne Jacobson, himself a retired RCMP officer, agrees that police can have a difficult position in the community, but they are community members just like anyone else who want to feel welcomed and involved.

As bylaw enforcement officer, Morehouse describes himself as being on “clean-up duty”, addressing things such as noise complaints, parking violations, property cleanup, and other things of that nature. There has been some concern in the community about overcrowding of residences, but he indicates that falls under the jurisdiction of the building inspector or fire chief, however he can help ensure that concerns are followed up on. He also has his existing relationship with the RCMP to call upon as they navigate who is responsible for enforcement in certain areas. So far he has not had to levy any fines, and he says that much like when he was still an active RCMP officer, communication is one of the most important skills. A good conversation about a bylaw violation usually takes care of the problem.

Outside of taking on the new role with the town, Morehouse is looking forward to the benefits of retirement including more time on the golf course and finally taking his very first winter vacation with his wife.