Langley RCMP has a new officer in charge.

Supt. Derek Cooke is scheduled to assume his new duties later this month, with one of his first priorities getting to know the community and finding out its needs.

"There isn't going to be big changes. The big job will be getting to know the people in the community and making sure they see this detachment as their own."

At the official announcement made at the detachment Friday, Cooke said he is a firm believer in community and in communication.

"Janice [Armstrong] has laid a foundation that I will continue to build on," he said. Armstrong was promoted to a position with the Lower Mainland RCMP.

Langley's new chief already has deep roots here.

His two daughters, ages six and 15, go to school in Langley, his eldest in the Hockey Academy at Langley Secondary. His wife is a corporal at the detachment who heads the youth unit.

Cooke comes to Langley after five years as the Officer in Charge of Lower Mainland District Traffic Services. He brings with him 28 years of service with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with a short stint in Ontario and the last 22 years in B.C.

"I've had a couple meetings with the mayors and they have high expectations. By all accounts this detachment is run very well. I plan to be the face of that detachment who is going to meet the needs and expectations of me."

His diverse experience includes general duty, burglary investigations and serious crimes in Surrey, drug enforcement in a northern B.C. town, media spokesperson in Burnaby along with community policing, duty officer in Surrey and most recently he is in charge of traffic services, overseeing Air One and Two, the Freeway Patrol and the patrol traffic units.

Chief Superintendent Armstrong (his predecessor) was at the announcement to introduce Cooke.

"It is an awesome responsibility to provide public safety to this community, but you are not alone. There is lots of support from the community, businesses, the councils and all the [detachment] staff," she said.

Both Langley mayors, who were involved in the hiring process, commented that Cooke has big shoes to fill.

"This is not something we take lightly. I know the successful candidate is passionate about policing and cares about the people he leads. Our shared philosophy is we are in it together," said City Mayor Peter Fassbender.

"I am very proud that Langley is such a plum posting that the quality of those who applied for this job were incredible. We love what Derek brings to the table," said Township Mayor Rick Green.

Assistant Commissioner Peter German commented that Cooke is a perfect choice for Langley.

“He is intimately familiar with the Lower Mainland, and with the City and Township of Langley. I have every confidence he will continue his proven record of success in this new position.”