Westmount's new top cop

Westmount's former commander made the leap after almost a year-and-a-half in the city so he could spend more time with his three young children.

It's Commander Plourde's first time at the helm of a station. He comes to Westmount with four years under his belt with the major events unit at headquarters downtown.

Prior to that he was with the canine and cavalry unit for two years. In 1997, he spent six months as a United Nations observer in Haiti, which he calls a tremendous learning experience. "We have the chance to do a lot of things as police," he said.

Plourde joined the force in 1989 and proudly sports his brand new 20-year pin.

So far, the biggest event of his career was one that touched many Westmounters: the 2006 Dawson College shooting. "I wasn't the first to arrive, but I got there as a wave of people fled the building," Plourde recalled.

The new commander says road safety will one of his top priorities.

With delivery vans, cars, pedestrians and cyclist jockeying for space, the intersection at Sherbrooke Street and Victoria Avenue is especially problematic, he noted. "Speeding is also something we're concerned about," he said.

Plourde said he's pleased to be inheriting a strong working relationship with Westmount Public Security and that Station 12 will assist them on curbing graffiti in the neighbourhood.

He's also impressed by the work ethic at the station. "I've been told this is a safe neighbourhood," he said. "People work together here and are getting results."