Inspector Ray is on his way

Having seen Prince Rupert’s bar crowd first hand, Inspector Ray Noble is now off to a new battle zone.

The Inspector in charge of the Rupert detachment of the RCMP is soon to take up new duties as part of a “start–up” mission in Afghanistan, designed to help stabilize life in that troubled country.

With Nobel's pending departure, as of yet, no details on a new Inspector for the North coast have been released.

The Daily news examined his plans in Thursday’s paper.

Inspector leaves on Noble mission
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, August 10, 2007
Page one

Inspector Ray Noble of the Prince Rupert RCMP will soon be leaving the city for another job, one that will undoubtedly entail more danger than patrolling the streets of Prince Rupert.
"I was selected to be one of the RCMP representatives in Afghanistan as a 'start-up' mission, and we're the first contingent of people to go over under this particular banner," said Noble.
"Personally, it's a challenge of seeing a real need and having the ability to contribute in some small way to something that's a very good cause."

There were plans for Noble and the other officers that are part of the mission to be deployed already, however there were some logistical concerns that had to be addressed, and at this time, there is still some uncertainty about how their mission will unfold.

"The peacekeeping and policing role is part of the government's overall package to provide aid, life support, to developing infrastructure, and expanding the capabilities of the host countries," said Noble.

"And those missions are always done with the help and cooperation of other developed nations. I think in Afghanistan right now they're at 36 assisting countries involved in one aspect or another of rebuilding Afghanistan. It's a progressive, long term mission to help stabilize a country."

The R.C.M.P. has contributed members to two international missions since 1989, and approximately 2,100 peace officers to locations across the globe to assist with peacekeeping operations. In order to serve in this upcoming mission, Noble will have to say goodbye to friends and family for an entire year, something he knows will be a challenge in itself.

"It's a difficult transition to make, there's no question that there's some challenges with maintaining a relationship long distance. Also the fact that there's substantial security concerns, it adds some stress to the relationship, concerns for safety and the ability to communicate well," Noble said with regards to staying in touch with home.

"There's also the challenges in having changes of perspective.

"I'm anticipating traveling to Afghanistan will be, at some level, a life changing or altering experience, and when you come back you have to reconcile that with your personal life, and everybody around you that hasn't had the same experience."

As someone who feels a need to participate instead of just watching things happen, Noble has his own reasons for accepting the overseas mission.

"I have a real desire to understand and learn. Personally, one of the contradictions I have is that I really see a need for some help there to stabilize the country, and on the other hand I also have a little concern about watching one nation trying to impose it's will on another," he said.

"It's just one of those things that's hard to sit and watch the news and get a full understanding of, and I'm one of those people that has to get involved to see how it works, learn what I can from it, and hopefully that will allow me to make more of a difference and allow me to make a meaningful contribution."