After 31 years serving with the RCMP, including nine as the top cop at the Salmon Arm detachment, Staff Sgt. Scott West is retiring. 

"I have found myself looking back on a career in the RCMP that I have truly enjoyed and found challenging," said West in a media release shared by the RCMP on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Tuesday, Sept. 3, will be West's last day in uniform. 

In 1993, West left his home in Nova Scotia for Depot in Regina, Sask., reads the media release prepared by Salmon Arm Const. Andrew Hodges. After graduating Depot, West's first post as a constable was in 琉璃神社, where he honed his policing skills and abilities until 2006.

After 琉璃神社, West's career continued in Nakusp before being promoted to corporal in Kamloops.

"After a few years there, he earned another promotion as Sergeant in Dawson Creek. From there, he transferred to Sicamous," said Hodges. "His final move was another promotion from Sicamous, to be the Staff Sergeant in Salmon Arm beginning in 2015."

One of West鈥檚 most memorable files with the RCMP involved chasing cattle that had escaped from a farm near downtown 琉璃神社. Another, and one he is "extremely proud of, was finding a lost child at night when temperatures dropped to minus 15 degrees Celsius with high winds, and being able to return that child to her parents safely."

Asked about his favourite thing working with the RCMP, West said "variety." 

Variety in job descriptions, work locations, the outstanding people I have gotten to work with everyday and the great people in the communities I have served throughout my career," said West, "I would have probably been bored in any other job out there without the change that I have experienced over the years.

West's retirement plans include spending more time with his spouse, "supporting her just as she has done for him throughout his career adventures." He also plans to spend time on his next car project in his garage, and enjoying the B.C.'s great outdoors 

"Thank you Scott! The Salmon Arm detachment members and civilian staff wish you a well deserved long, and happy retirement," reads the media release.