Supt. Brian Jones has joined the Yukon RCMP as the officer in charge of criminal operations.

He replaces Supt. Paul McConnell, who left the position in August, 2015.

Jone said Wednesday Jones is excited and looking forward to the challenge of a new position.

“My wife, Charlene, and are I thrilled to be coming to the Yukon; we are looking forward to learning more about the people and places that make the Yukon so unique,” he said.

“I enjoy being a part of a collaborative consultative process that identifies and delivers on policing priorities.”

Jones is also the second‐in‐command of the RCMP in Yukon.

He has primary responsibility for all operational policing functions in the territory, from general duty law enforcement, to major investigations.

“Supt. Jones has a strong reputation of collaboration and community engagement,” said Chief Supt. Peter Clark, who is soon leaving the territory for another posting.

“He is a good fit for our territory and his experience and leadership style bring new opportunities for innovation in the delivery of policing services.”

Jones joined the RCMP in 1987 in Edmonton.

He completed recruit training in Regina, and was posted to Saskatchewan.

His first posting was to Swift Current, followed by postings to Wollaston Lake (Hatchet Lake) and Nipawin.

In 1999. he was promoted to corporal and transferred to Gull Lake, Sask.

He was then transferred to Saskatchewan RCMP headquarters in Regina, where he was in charge of the Division RCMP Communications unit as the RCMP media relations officer for Saskatchewan for four years.

In 2006, Jones was promoted to sergeant and was in charge of the community policing program for Saskatchewan.

In 2008, he was transferred to the operations strategy branch, where he was in charge of the Strategic Planning Unit.

In 2010, he was promoted to staff sergeant and transferred to Alberta, becoming the detachment commander in Drayton Valley for three years.

The Calgary native was then commissioned to the rank of inspector and appointed as the executive officer to the commanding officer for the RCMP in Alberta.

After completing high school in Calgary, Jones obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta in 1984.

Before beginning his policing career, the father of three adult children worked as a high school teacher in Westlock, Alta.

“(The) Government of Yukon is pleased to welcome Supt. Jones to Yukon,” said Tom Ullyett, the Department of Justice’s deputy minister.

“The Department of Justice looks forward to working with Supt. Jones as officer in charge of criminal operations, and we are confident that his diverse breadth of experience and leadership capabilities will continue to advance community safety in Yukon.”