Murray Cowan is excited to be taking on the inspector’s duties with the Estevan Police Service (EPS).
Cowan participated in a promotion ceremony during the June 16 meeting of the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners. EPS Chief Paul Ladouceur presented Cowan with the inspector's badge.
Cowan has been part of the EPS for nearly 20 years, and had been a sergeant since 2006.
His appointment to the inspector’s post was announced late last month. He is now the second-in-command to EPS Chief Paul Ladouceur, and Cowan will be the acting chief when Ladouceur is away.
“By adding this position to our police service, it will position us very well moving into the future,” Ladouceur said. “It will enable us to deal with many challenges facing the police service today, including economic challenges, legal challenges and personnel challenges.”
Cowan will be focused on operations, leaving Ladouceur to concentrate on strategic initiatives, administration duties and preparing the service for the future.
Ladouceur believes Cowan’s past experience will suit the EPS very well in the future. He added they share a vision for the police service.
Cowan said Estevan has a great police service.
“I'm very excited to work in this new position alongside these great people that I work with,” Cowan said.
Cowan praised the chief for the work he has done since arriving in Estevan 14 months ago, and Cowan is confident positive changes will continue within the EPS.
He is also grateful for the support of his family, particularly during the application process.
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Crime numbers for May show police were called to 708 infractions, complaints and incidents. Thirty-one were unfounded. Among the 677 classified as “actual,” 269 were cleared by charge, and 37 were listed as “otherwise,” for a clearance rate of 45.2 per cent. Ladouceur said the numbers remain stable, and they haven’t seen an increase in calls due to the downturn in the local economy.
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Ladouceur said the EPS’s expenses are under budget for the first five months of the year. Revenues for the first five months are $282,857; the projected revenues for the year are $860,500. The chief noted the funding from Saskatchewan General Insurance for the EPS's contributions towards the new combined traffic services unit has yet to arrive. Expenditures are at more than $1.887 million; the police had $4.799 million in expenditures budgeted for this year.
