By Bryan Eneas

Former Montreal Lake RCMP officer recognized with two star blankets

Apr 23, 2018 | 10:00 AM

The people of Montreal Lake honoured a police officer who began serving their community right after her graduation from the RCMP academy.

Cst. Alyssa Ogieglo was presented with two star blankets, an honour given to respected and admired individuals at times of change in their lives. One came from MLCN Chief Frank Roberts with the help of Roger and Val Bird. The second was presented by from the director of Camp Hope, Lionel Bird. Ogieglo was honoured because she was leaving the community after being reposted to the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation, though she said it wasn’t her decision to leave Montreal Lake.

“I actually did try and extend [my posting] in Montreal Lake for another two years, but just because it was my first posting the RCMP thought it was best to transfer,” she said. “It’s too bad they had the final say; I would have liked to continue and stay in Montreal Lake.”

With a provincial park, a national park, the townsite of Waskesiu, the reserve in Montreal Lake and a small community in Weyakwin, the young officer said she was exposed to a wide variety of opportunities in the posting. She also left a lasting impact on community members.

“Cst. Ogieglo was well respected and liked by many in Montreal Lake,” Anita Smith, a local community member, said. “Everyone wished she could stay longer.”

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

6h ago

WORLD SOFTBALL

Group stages officially set for Men's Softball World Cup in P.A.

13h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

Apr 23, 2024

Smith said Ogieglo helped bring the “We All Need a K9 Rescue” initiative to Montreal Lake, which was part of the reason she was being honoured.

“Once you graduate from Depot you kind of have this community project you need to do in the first six months,” Ogieglo said. “I kind of wanted to be different because I knew there was an overpopulation of dogs.”

Ogieglo said she coordinated with Brent Arstall to bring the program to Montreal Lake. The rescue team brought 19 dog houses, straw for bedding, roughly 3,000 pounds of dog food and Christmas gifts for children in the community. Their work helped rescue over 220 dogs over the span of two years.

The RCMP officer said she hopes to continue the animal rescue work at her new posting in the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation.

While she was posted in the community, Ogieglo said she even got hooked on Bingo events. While spending time with Smith off-duty, she attended her first bingo, which she described as the best way to interact with the community outside of wearing a uniform.

Ogieglio also offered some advice to the officer taking her place in Montreal Lake.

“I can only hope that he is involved and engages in the community as much as I did. It’s not easy for the community to welcome somebody new,” Ogieglo said. “Treat the community with respect. That’s all they’re asking for.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas