Merritt-raised RCMP Cons. Chris Buckland has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing his outstanding community service and volunteerism throughout his career in law enforcement.

The national award, presented to Canadians who have made significant contributions to their communities, came as a surprise to Buckland—who learned he had been selected shortly after transferring back to Merritt from his previous posting in Ashcroft.

“I was actually here in Merritt. I had just transferred from Ashcroft detachment, and I got the email that I was the recipient of one of the awards,” he said. “I was in shock that not only I was nominated, but that I was selected.”

Buckland’s journey to policing began in Merritt, where he grew up from the age of 10. After graduating high school, he joined the NVIT Law Enforcement Preparation program, followed by five years with the Merritt Fire Department to build experience. 

Inspired by an RCMP officer who took him on ridealongs during his teenage years, he pursued a career that would allow him to make a difference every day.

“I always had the desire to go into policing, just for the cliche ‘the career nowhere in your ordinary’, I wanted something different every day,” he added.

“I’m more surprised of the impact that I didn’t realize I was making, and that it was recognized by colleagues of how much of an impact I was making within the last community I was in,” he said. “It really is a true honour to be recognized by my peers.”

After moving from Manitoba to Ashcroft, driven by his motivation to give back to the community, Buckland created a charity hockey game known as Guns and Hoses.

“When it was created, the Guns and Hoses charity game was initially brought on as a community event to bring people out in wintertime, to shake off the winter blues and everyone get together and have a good time,” he added.

The first match, in January 2020, benefited Ashcroft Fire Rescue, allowing them to purchase and install smoke detectors for residents without them.

During 2021, the match had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it was resumed in 2022, with funds going to the Lytton Fire Department. 

“Every year we as policing – local RCMP there and neighbouring communities police officers – and other large branches would join for a game and every game we would raise money for different funds within the community that needed extra financial support,” Buckland said.

“We started doing this event and it became very popular, it’s quite a staple for the community of Ashcroft.”

Alongside his work organizing the event, Buckland also volunteered as a minor hockey coach and assisted with youth soccer and officiating. He sees the Coronation Medal as a shared accomplishment.

“It’s overall a collective effort with our department and everybody involved in all aspects,” he said.

“With planning the charity game, with people stepping up and volunteering for minor hockey, youth soccer, and then, even with the department giving me the time and resources to be able to plan the event during work hours.”

He added that he didn’t create the event with the intention of receiving an award or striving for it, he was driven by a need to fill the void.

Still, the recognition from his peers means a great deal.

“I’m more surprised by the impact that I didn’t realize I was making, and that it was recognized by colleagues. It really is a true honour to be recognized by my peers,” Buckland said.

“I’m super appreciative that I was recognized for something, but I just looked at it as I want to leave a community in a better place than when I arrived and whether that’s through policing or my volunteer time, it’s just being a better human.”