A familiar face and voice has been promoted to the top RCMP media-relations position in British Columbia.

Sergeant Tim Shields is back on the lower mainland, after spending two years in Kelowna. Based out of E-Division in Vancouver, he's now the NCO in charge of strategic communications for the province.

Shields says he'll be the main spokesman for major incidents or investigations that happen around the province.

Shields, who is now an acting Staff Sergeant, says he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Kelowna area, running the city's drug section before being put in charge of the Lake Country RCMP detachment.

But, he says he's now looking forward to improving RCMP relations with media in B.C.

He agrees there have been recent problems with police and media in this province lately, and he vows to make the media relationship with the RCMP a lot more transparent.

To replace Shields in his last local posting, senior NCO in charge of the Lake Country detachment, the force has boosted Corporal Mike Loerke to acting sergeant. Loerke will run Lake Country's Mounties for at least the next three months, while a permanent replacement is sought.

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