As a conservation officer at a Game Reserve in South Africa, Alan Howell got a solid grounding in law enforcement.
Conservation Officers, of course, are well-schooled in search and rescue, parks management, bio-diversity, ecological concerns and other areas that you might expect such professionals to be aware of. Unfortunately, they’re also experts in dealing with poachers and illegal hunters; this is where Howell gained experience in law enforcement.
“It was 2007, and my wife and I were looking to emigrate, to broaden our experiences . . . we wanted our children to see a world outside of the game reserve where they had spent their entire lives,” said Howell. “My experience as a conservation officer prepared me to work in two fields: conservation or law enforcement.”
“I searched the internet for employment opportunities in law enforcement, and the EPS site came up,” he noted. “A good friend of mine was already working with the EPS, so I began the application process in April 2008.”
Howell came to Edmonton for the selection process in October 2008 and then flew back home. “I learned that I was accepted in January 2009, and we moved to Edmonton in January 2010,” he remarked. “We were prepared, having boarded the plane with winter jackets, and it’s a good thing we did . . . it was -20 and snowing when we arrived.”
He continued, “My kids were so excited to see the snow; they couldn’t believe it! And, they’ve completely adjusted to life in Canada. In South Africa, the sun sets at 8:00 p.m. every night. Here, it’s kind of hard to get the kids to settle down at bedtime when it’s still daylight!”
Asked what is the most frequently asked question by friends and family back home, Howell is quick to reply, “They always want to know how cold it is, and how we’re coping with the weather. Before I came here, I always thought of Canada as a cold country in the far north. Now, I’m impressed by the beautiful summer weather, and especially the incredibly long daylight hours.”
“My family and I enjoy being outdoors. Our top travel priority is to see Jasper and Banff,” he said. “Uprooting my family was a big step, but we haven’t looked back. People here are so friendly and warm, even more so when they learn we’re from South Africa.”
Your EPS family is proud to count you as one of our own, Alan!