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Like father, like daughters with this RCMP family

Three members of the Mirvas have now chosen to serve their communities as police officers
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Dennis Mirva, who was raised in Chilliwack, and his daughters Robyn and Lauren, in uniform. (Submitted photo)

Policing is often a family tradition, and that’s definitely the case for the Mirvas.

Dennis Mirva was mentioned a few times in The Chilliwack Progress in the 1970s for his dedication to the RCMP. First, when he joined the force in 1975, and again when he was accepted into the RCMP Musical Ride in 1977. Those clippings (attached below) are still available online through this newspaper’s archives.

Now, Mirva is eager to see his daughters’ names follow his path in his hometown paper. While Mirva now lives in Nelson, he wrote to The Progress about how proud he is of both Lauren and Robyn Mirva for their recent accomplishments.

“Two and a half years ago, my daughter Lauren joined the Nelson Police Department,” he said, sending along photos as well. “She continues to serve with the force.”

At the time of her hire, Lauren Mirva was the youngest new member at age 24 after studying criminal justice for four years.

READ MORE: From LVR to NPD

Now it’s time for her sister to shine, too.

“My other daughter Robyn … just completed training for six monhts at the RCMP Depot in Regina, SK and graduated on March 11, 2019,” he continued. “I had the honour and pleasure of presenting her with her badge as is a customary tradition in the RCMP when one’s child graduates and when one’s parent had also served in the force.”

And while none of the family is currently living in or serving the community of Chilliwack, he said there is a funny twist about locations the family members have ended up since he left here.

Robyn Mirva has been posted to Rimbey, Alta., which is “coincidentally where she was born in 1990 when I was posted there serving with the RCMP,” he adds.

Mirva added that it is “certainly unusual” for not one, but two daughters to follow in a father’s footsteps in this way. He wanted to let his friends and family still living in Chilliwack how well his children have grown up.

“I can’t say how honoured and proud I am of my exceptional strong and accomplished daughters,” he said.


@CHWKcommunity
jpeters@theprogress.com

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A clipping from The Chilliwack Progress in 1977 announces Dennis Mirva’s acceptance to the RCMP. He recently shared the news with The Progress that two of his daughter’s have followed in his policing footsteps.
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A clipping from The Chilliwack Progress in 1977 shows a highlight of Dennis Mirva’s career.


Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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