Melfort RCMP Staff Sergeant/Detachment Commander, Darren Simons back in August (file photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Ben Tompkins

35+ year career

Melfort RCMP staff sergeant and detachment commander retiring from duty

May 3, 2023 | 5:14 PM

After 35 years of combined service in both the military and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Melfort’s staff sergeant and detachment commander has called it a career.

Darren Simons started in Melfort last August, in what was his tenth detachment, and worked his final day on Wednesday.

Simons told northeastNOW it was nice to finish his tenure in an area he’s always called home, despite never living here, as his mom was from Star City.

“I moved around my whole life, so I don’t really have a hometown like a lot of people do, so it’s just nice to end here and know the area.”

He also added how the group of people he worked with was a big part of that.

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“Part of such a good team that went through quite probably one of the biggest tragedies this country has ever seen, and being able to say I was part of that team is a memory I’ll never forget. The troops, they stood on their heads and I was part of that.”

Simons and his wife are now just about finished their renovations at their home in Kipabiskau Lake, while their son goes to school at the University of Saskatchewan.

He explained that he still can’t believe he’s made it to this point, as it’s been something on his mind for quite a while.

“It’s still a little surreal. As a kid, we always wanted to get closer to the lake, in my father’s military career, and we never did, so it’s kind of surreal to be there now and wake up in the morning, and I’m not having to travel to go somewhere else.”

Simons reflected on his career, which included spending time in Calgary, Ottawa, Victoria, Germany, Chilliwack, Quebec, Gagetown, Edmonton, Montreal, Regina, Vermilion, Assumption, Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Liard, Alberta, Boyle, Lac la Biche, Hudson Bay and Carlyle.

He said that since he began, he believes the organization has gotten better, however, have also become more overwhelmed with the record expectations placed on them.

“I carry 30 pounds worth of gear, and we keep expanding. Detachment members are trained and better prepared to deal with the situations before us, but at the same time, things keep changing dramatically,” Simons mentioned.

“I believe I’ve had a very productive and interesting career and met a lot of great people and had a lot of unique experiences. I’m just glad I survived it, and I think it’s time to relax a bit and enjoy life.”

In the meantime, Corporal Geoff Applegate will be the acting staff sergeant and detachment commander until the new one arrives.

According to Simons, they’re just going through an application and verification stage before they choose, so it could take months before Melfort knows who their next staff sergeant is.

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On Twitter @BenTompkins_8