The RCMP in Shelburne are adding an African Canadian representative to their detachment.
It follows a request by the town to provincial RCMP.
Sgt. Ben Parry, commanding officer in Shelburne, says it will really help the community.
“When you have someone who can possibly relate to struggles that young people have when they grow up, that’s always going to go further in our quest to be a more relevant and sensitive police force.”
Constable Delroy Clarke will start his full-time work at the detachment next week.
He immigrated to Canada from Jamaica.
The 32-year-old is a former cornerback in the CFL, playing six seasons with Toronto, Edmonton and Ottawa.