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Supt. Sharnjit Gill is Surrey RCMP's new Community Services Officer

Gill will oversee community policing, youth, property crimes, drugs and traffic sections, among others
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Supt. Sharnjit (Shawn) Gill is Surrey RCMP's new Community Services Officer

SURREY — Superintendent Sharnjit Gill, at your service.

Gill is Surrey RCMP's new Community Services Officer, overseeing community policing, the youth section, bike patrol squads, property crimes investigations, criminal intelligence, the drug section, gang enforcement and the traffic section.

In other words, he's a busy man.

"I feel privileged to be coming back to Surrey and I look forward to working closely with the community to enhance public safety in our city," Gill said.

Gill has been promoted from the rank of inspector and most recently was operations officer for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Gill has worked with the RCMP in the Lower Mainland for more than 26 years, and served 13 of those in Surrey. In 1997 he received an Officer in Charge Certificate of Recognition for his role in the arrests and convictions of two serial sex offenders — dubbed the Newton Tag-Team Rapists — who terrorized the community by attacking women in their basement suites.

He also received a Long Service Medal in 2009 for completing 20 years of service with good conduct, and in 2012 received a Queen  Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal for his role as team commander in charge of the pipeline bombings investigation in Northern B.C.

Sharnjit Gill, who also goes by the name Shawn, was born in Rajiana, India and raised in Mackenzie, B.C. He is the second RCMP superintendent of South Asian decent in this province.

"I am fortunate to have this career in the RCMP and I acknowledge my parents for the significant role they have played," he said. "Had it not been for their courage and sacrifice in immigrating to Canada in 1969, I wouldn't be in the position that I am in today."

Gill has lived in Surrey for 25 years now, raised his family here, and when off shift he has helped coach local minor hockey, baseball and soccer. He began his career with the Surrey RCMP as a general duty officer and then transferred to investigative services, working in the burglary and serious crimes units. From there, he worked with Langley RCMP's Serious Crimes Section, IHIT, Burnaby RCMP's Serious Crimes Section, and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET). In 2012 he returned to Surrey RCMP as a duty officer, transferred back to IHIT two years later and is on the Lower Mainland Hostage Negotiation Team. Gill also served on the RCMP E Division Interview Team.

Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Bill Fordy welcomed Gill in his new role. "I have known Shawn for many years and I am confident that he will bring strong leadership and extensive policing experience to the community services team as we continue our work in reducing crime and engaging citizens in crime prevention," Fordy said.

tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com



About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
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