Grande Prairie police chief sworn in

Dwayne Lakusta was formally sworn in as the first Chief of Police for the freshly established Grande Prairie Police Service (GPPS) on Friday.

Lakusta stepped into the role in August of last year but last week he took an Oath of Allegiance and Office, “swearing to fulfill his role diligently, faithfully, and to the best of his ability.”

“I'm humbled and honoured to be standing here today as the first Chief of Police for the City of Grande Prairie,” Lakusta told the crowd of more than 100.

Police chiefs from across the province, politicians and country musician Paul Brandt were in attendance for the occasion.

“I'm acutely aware of the responsibility that rests on my shoulders, and I’m committed to upholding the values of integrity, professionalism, and accountability that are the foundation of our law enforcement profession,” said Lakusta.

“My top priority will always be the safety and well-being of the City of Grande Prairie, and I'll spare no effort ensuring that our police service operates with the highest standards of excellence and fairness.”

He said his vision of the police service “is one of excellence, innovation, and community partnerships.”

“Together, we will strive to foster strong relationships built on trust, transparency and mutual respect.”

He said the creation of the GPPS is a testament to the collective vision of a safer, just society in the city.

“Building a police service from the ground up is no small feat,” said Lakusta.

“It requires dedication, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the power of our community.

“We live in a rapidly changing world and law enforcement must evolve to meet the demands and times to respond to emerging trends. “

Lakusta and dignitaries were led into the Teresa Sargent Hall at the Montrose Cultural Centre by Edmonton Police Service (EPS) piper Superintendent Derek McIntyre. McIntyre played the same tune that Lakusta was piped into as an EPS recruit in 1996, said Erica Fisher, GPPS public information officer.

The ceremony began with a blessing from Elder Barb Goodswimmer.

Justice Christopher Millsap then administered the oath of office to Lakusta.

The event then heard from many dignitaries.

“On May 25, 2023, less than a year ago, the (Grande Prairie Police) Commission (GPPC) held its inaugural meeting with the first order of business to hire a chief of police as this would be the first municipal police service since Camrose in 1956,” said Dan Wong, GPPC chair.

“We wanted the candidate to be well-versed in modern policing methods, utilizing the tiered policing model.

“We wanted someone who understood that sometimes a more compassionate approach to law enforcement was needed, but we also wanted someone who could be tough on crime and criminals when the situation calls.

“We wanted someone who had a good understanding of the unique challenges in Grande Prairie when it came to our demographics, our crime statistics, and our social disorder issues.”

Wong said Lakusta checked everything off the commission’s lists of requirements for the city’s first police chief.

Mayor Jackie Clayton said she was pleased to welcome Lakusta as the city's inaugural police chief.

“Here at Grande Prairie we're proud to watch this transition toward municipal facing for a modern community-focused and multi-prong approach to community safety to meet the unique needs and the dynamic needs of our community and our city,” she said.

Clayton added that Chief Lakusta is making an “indelible mark” on the community by building collaborative relationships with many organizations and non-profits.

“​​I want to express shared enthusiasm for the new era of the City of Grande Prairie,” said Clayton.

Minister of Justice of Alberta Mickey Amery said Lakusta's law enforcement history will ensure public safety in the city and maintain public confidence in law enforcement.

“The task of building a municipal police force brings with it an intense level of scrutiny; the implications of every decision, every expense, every hire, it all comes under the microscope and I'm absolutely confident that Chief Lakusta’s wealth of experience will take law enforcement in Grande Prairie to the next level,” said Amery.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis commended Lakusta on his years of service, noting his commitment to serving the community.

“As a former police officer myself, I understand firsthand the hard work and sacrifices that Dwayne has made to prepare himself for this new and exciting role,” said Ellis.

Country musician Paul Brandt then took the stage singing Junior Brown’s Highway Patrol.

“While everyone needs to get paid for the work, people like (Lakusta) don't do it for the money; they do it because they have a calling, and they firmly believe that what they're doing is right and good,” said Brandt.

The musician said he first met Lakusta after serving as the chair of the Alberta Human Trafficking Task Force when Lakusta served as CEO of Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).

Jesse Boily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Town & Country News