SUNDRE – After being seconded to the Sundre RCMP and serving the community as the detachment’s interim acting commander, Sgt. Courtney Harding has now officially taken on the position full time.
When Harding, who had previously been working in Olds after being posted at the detachment there in 2018, was first assigned to Sundre in the spring of 2024 she held the rank of corporal.
“I was notified of my transfer and promotion on July 25,” she told the Albertan.
“I’m certainly thankful to have been given the opportunity to act as interim commander,” the sergeant said.
“It’s been awesome to get to know the community.”
Although born in Calgary, Harding grew up in the country in the Raven area northwest of Garrington Bridge and graduated from Spruce View School before going to college in Red Deer and later joining the RCMP’s ranks nearly 20 years ago.
She has lived with her family in Olds for the past seven years.
“That’s a short commute for me,” she said. “It’s nice to be so close to home … I consider myself very fortunate to be here.”
Previously being posted nearby also offers the benefit of being more in tune with the region.
“I’m very thankful for my previous post being in Olds because it makes me that much more familiar with the area and the crime trends.”
Additionally, Harding praised her department’s members, who she said work hard and care deeply about the community’s well-being.
She also looks forward to facing challenges as they come.
“I always welcome new learning experiences.”
Maintaining an open-door policy, Harding said residents who are so inclined are welcome to reach out with any questions or to express concerns and even share perspectives on where there might be room for improvement and what priorities the department should focus on.
“If anybody needs to see me, they’re certainly welcome to stop on by; of course, depending on availability.”
Approaching her 20-year benchmark as a Mountie, Harding said she intends to reach at least 25 years of service and possibly even longer.
“I would consider myself very, very fortunate to be able to retire out this way,” she said.
But while she for now intends to fully focus her energy and attention on the Sundre district, what the future might hold in store remains to be seen.
“I think anything is possible at this point. It’s just really going to depend on how long my career is going to go.”
