rcmp 60th anniversary special edition

Connection • Commitment • CommunityConnection • Commitment • Community

Black Press

Sixty years ago, the City of Surrey was a very different place than it is today.

Citizens enjoyed a slow-er pace, a more pastoral setting and a less-complicated lifestyle.

So too, did the city’s police force.On May 1, 1951, when the RCMP

took over policing duties from the Surrey Municipal Police Depart-ment, rowdy dance halls, speeding vehicles and liquor complaints at the beach were among the most common service calls.

Fast forward to 2011.Having grown from a contin-

gent of 18 offi cers six decades ago, the 641-member Surrey RCMP detachment – Canada’s larg-est – polices Metro Vancouver’s fastest-growing city by responding to both emergency and non-emer-gency calls; conducting criminal investigations, intelligence gather-ing and enforcement operations; and reducing the impact of crime through education and outreach programs.

And the efforts of the detach-ment’s members and staff go above and beyond the call of duty.

Surrey RCMP have partnered with community groups to assist the less-fortunate with initiatives such as Operation Teddy Bear, Cinderella Story, Surrey Food Bank drives, Third World Eye Care, Cops for Cancer, Big Bike for Heart & Stroke Foundation, United Way campaigns, blood donations, Christmas giving and much more.

Over 60 years, throughout a host of technological, cultural and social changes, one thing has remained the same: the Surrey RCMP’s connection andcommitment to the community.

� Show your support for the Surrey RCMP by attending a special ceremony marking the detachment’s 60 years of service on May 1 at the Surrey Museum Square. The ceremony will feature a marching parade by RCMP members in red serge, as well as comments by several dignitaries. The event begins at 2 p.m. The Surrey Museum is located at 17710 56A Ave.

celebrates 60 years of service

EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER

The changing face of the Surrey RCMP – (back row from right): Staff-Sgt. Bill McCheyne, one of the original members of the Surrey RCMP in 1951; Staff-Sgt. Ross Townsend, who served in Surrey during the 1960s; Staff-Sgt. D. Laird Allan, a Surrey member in the 1970s; Staff-Sgt. Shirley Steele (middle), who joined the Surrey detachment in the 1980s; Sgt. Pavlena Gidda (far left), who became a Surrey Mountie in the 1990s; and Sgt. Mark Baxter, who joined the local detachment in the last decade.

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Surrey RCMPSurrey RCMP

2 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |

7878 - 120 StreetSCOTT ROAD604-591-3914

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to our Surrey RCMP Members on their 60th Anniversary!

CongratulationsCongratulations

SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 3| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |

by Sheldon Boles

On May 1, 1951, the RCMP offi cially took over policing from

the Surrey Municipal Police Department.

The RCMP’s pattern of taking over other police agencies dates back to the early 1920s. It fi rst started in 1920 when the federal government changed the name of the force from the Royal North West Mounted Police (RNWMP) to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). With this name change, the federal government created the RCMP as the country’s national police force.

Shortly thereafter, the federal government felt there seemed to be an overlapping of responsibility and a lack of cooperation between the

independent police bodies and the RCMP.

In addition, several provincial governments raised concerns about fi nancially maintaining their own provincial police departments.

Since criminal activity was not isolated to a single community, the federal government called for a more unifi ed and economical system of policing.

The federal government’s response was to develop a policing “subsidy model.” Under this model, the federal government would cover a portion of the provincial policing costs provided that the RCMP took over all policing operations. Based on this model, many provincial governments turned over their provincial policing operations to the RCMP (see sidebar).

In 1950, the province of

British Columbia dissolved the B.C. Provincial Police (BCPP) and its policing responsibilities were taken over by the RCMP.

As part of this new expanded role, the RCMP absorbed 492 of the 520 BCPP members. At the time, the BCPP were policing most of the small- and medium-sized communities throughout British Columbia.

The same RCMP “subsidy model” was offered to Surrey council. In previous years, Surrey council had become increasingly concerned about the city’s escalating policing costs. To determine whether to switch to the RCMP or remain with their own police force, Surrey council decided to hold a plebiscite in 1950. The result of the plebiscite was 2,973 to 2,330 in favour of the RCMP takeover.

Pay rate: $210 per

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES

1946 – Surrey Municipal Police Department (left to right) Const. Muir, Const. Thomson, Const. Stokes, Chief Moffatt, Const. Craig and Const. Warkentin.

RCMP takes command of Surrey For two days in 1951, a pair of cops policed the entire city

See ON PATROL / Page 5

When provinces made the switch to RCMP:

� Saskatchewan Provincial Police, 1928

� Alberta Provincial Police,1932

� Manitoba Provincial Police, 1932

� New Brunswick Provincial Police, 1932

� Nova Scotia Provincial Police, 1932

� Prince Edward Island,1932

� Newfoundland Rangers, 1950

� In 1950, the province of BritishColumbia dissolved the B.C. Provincial Police (BCPP) and its policingresponsibilities were taken over by the RCMP.

• Surrey RCMP Celebrates 60 Years of Service was written by contributor Sheldon Boles.• Photographs are courtesy City of Surrey

Archives, RCMP Museum, Surrey RCMP, Bill McCheyne, Ric Hall, Sheldon Boles and Leaderstaff photographers Evan Seal and Boaz Joseph.

• Design – Glory Wilkinson.• Editor and layout – Paula Carlson.


From laundry business to police barracksSurrey detachment started out at old city hall

by Sheldon Boles

The first Surrey RCMP detachment was on the first floor of the old city hall building in Cloverdale and the

cell block was in the basement. Within a year, it was clear the allocated space at city hall was inadequate to meet the

needs of detachment members.In 1962, the detachment moved into

a building in the 4900 block of Maine Street (now 177B Street). This two-storey building was originally designed to be used as a laundry business but was never used as such. The building was only partially completed and was renovated to meet the needs of the RCMP.

On the second floor, there were three barrack rooms with a common kitchen area and a recreation room. These barrack rooms accommodated a total of five members.

In later years, the area on the second floor was converted into a traffic office and a plainclothes unit office.

As you walked in the front door, the

detachment commander’s office was on the left and the general work area was on the right. Cell block was at the rear of the first floor.

This building had been purchased by Staff-Sgt. Jack Hooker (Patrol NCO who worked out of the New Westminster RCMP office) who leased it back to the RCMP.

1952 to 1962 – The fi rst dedicated RCMP detachment in Surrey was the old city hall building in Cloverdale (far left). Second from left: In 1962, the detachment moved to Maine Street (now 177B Street). In 1990, the detachment moved into their new building at 15355 57 Ave. (second from right). Far right: A new annex was added in 2010 and dedicated to Sgt. Frank Buscall Pearson, an early RCMP member who served in Surrey. The annex is known as the FB Pearson Building.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES PHOTO COURTESY SURREY RCMP PHOTO COURTESY SURREY RCMP

Phone: 604.574.5662 Email: [email protected] Web: www.stephaniecadieuxmla.bc.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/MLACadieux

Phone: 604.576.3792 Email: [email protected] Web: www.kevinfalconmla.bc.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/KevinFalcon

Stephanie Cadieux MLA Surrey–Panorama

Kevin Falcon MLA Surrey–Cloverdale

Phone: 604.586.3747 Email: [email protected] Web: www.davehayermla.bc.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/MLAHayer

MLA Dave S. Hayer MLA Surrey–Tynehead

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the

RCMP in SurreyThe hard work and commitment of the RCMP has helped make Surrey the strong community it is today.

Thank you, from your

local MLA Team.

Thank you to the Surrey RCMP for 60 years of

service to our community.

MAYOR DIANNE WATTS

LINDA

HEPNER

MARVIN

HUNT

TOM

GILLBOB

BOSE

BARBARA

STEELEMARY

MARTIN

BARINDER

RASODE

JUDY

VILLENEUVE

www.surrey.ca


Pay rate: $210 per month

After a heated debate in December of that year, council decided to accept the RCMP’s offer to take over the Surrey Police’s duties. As part of this arrangement, the RCMP tried to absorb as many of Surrey’s police offi cers as possible.

The RCMP conducted interviews with many of the Surrey Police offi cers. Only two such individuals expressed a desire to become members: Chief Const. Jim Craig and Const. Paul Starek.

“I was interviewed by Corporal William Turner,” said Starek. “He asked me what I thought about the RCMP and the possibility of joining the force. I told him that it would be great to join the RCMP as they have a great reputation and provide extensive training.”

Craig also agreed to become an RCMP member in Cloverdale.

Two days after his interview with Turner, Starek received a telex from the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa. It offered him a position in the RCMP as a Special Constable with a pay rate of $210 per month.

“I accepted the offer as it was a $60 pay increase over what I was being paid by the municipality of Surrey,” Starek recalled.

But it was not a smooth transition.Two days prior to the RCMP

takeover, six of the eight Surrey Municipal Police Offi cers quit, leaving only Craig and Starek to police Surrey.

According to Starek, Craig stated unequivocally that he was the chief constable and worked only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Everything that occurs outside these hours is your responsibility,” he told Starek.

Consequently, Starek was obligated to work extended hours in order to keep Surrey safe.

Which way to Whalley?

In 1950, the Surrey Municipal Police Department had its offi ce in what is now the old city hall in Cloverdale. The offi ce was on the main fl oor at the rear of the building with a single cell for prisoners in the basement.

Shortly before midnight on April 30, 1951, Starek was in the Surrey Municipal Police Department offi ce. Suddenly, he heard the sound of

heavy footsteps and the jiggling of spurs coming up the front steps and into the building.

Upon investigating, he discovered Cpl. Turner accompanied by one ex-B.C. Provincial Police offi cer and 14 extremely young-looking RCMP members wearing the typical brown serge, high brown boots and blue breeches.

“Well, now that you guys are here, I can go home,” Starek said.

Turner replied: “No you can’t… you have to tell us how to police Surrey.”

It was quickly discovered that none of the members had worked in a municipal policing environment.

Starek suggested that each shift have four police cars working in Surrey – two in Whalley, one in Newton, and one for both Cloverdale and White Rock.

At the time, Starek had been in the Surrey Police Department for only nine months and had received no offi cial police training. To assist

with the fi rst night, he manned the radio beside Const. Charlie Thomas. When telephone calls came in for police services, Starek would have Thomas radio the patrolling members with instructions on how to get to a specifi c location.

Thomas gave the fi rst two members to work in Whalley directions on how to get there.

“I told them to drive north on Pacifi c Highway then turn left on Fraser Highway. Once they reached King George Highway, they were to

radio back that they had made it.”

For the fi rst few months in Surrey, the Whalley members used the intersection of King George Highway and Fraser Highway as their geographical reference point.

According to member Bill McCheyne, “in

the early days of policing Surrey we didn’t have any maps. So we would ask Jim Craig, who seemed to know where everyone lived. One of his typical directions was to...

drive three miles south on Pacifi c Highway and the house you want is the brown house on the right.”

At the end of the Mounties’ fi rst shift, only three of the four police cars returned to the Cloverdale offi ce. The fourth member got lost in South Surrey.

Starek suggested the member stop at the nearest farmhouse and ask for directions. Half an hour later, the missing member returned to the offi ce with a dozen eggs the farmer had given him.

A few weeks later, Starek was assigned to one of the four patrol teams. Since he was hired on with the RCMP as a Special Constable, he accompanied other RCMP offi cers in their patrols of Surrey.

In the early days with the RCMP, he was still wearing his Surrey Police uniform, which was eventually replaced with traditional RCMP garb, but not before Starek completed his six weeks of training at the RCMP Fairmount Barracks in Vancouver.

Starek served as a constable in Surrey until 1958, at which time he was transferred to the Customs and Excise Section situated in New Westminster.

On patrol: Farm fresh eggs a bonus


1951 – Surrey RCMP members (back row) John McNamara, Fred Pierce, Bob Cox and Wally Welychka. Middle row: Ralph Cave, Buddy Porter, Darcey Morrice, Charlie Thomas and Bill McCheyne. Front row: Gary Blake, Ted Ciunyk, Reg Odegard and Pattie King.

From page 3

“No you can’t (go)... you

have to tell us how to

police Surrey.”

Cpl. William Turner


No riding crop required

Police equipment has changedby Sheldon Boles

In the 1950s, all RCMP members had a limited number of support tools to assist them while on patrol.

These items included: a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson six-shot revolver; ammunition pouch which usually carried six to 18 rounds; riding crop; and a fl ashlight. Handcuffs were not a standard issue. At Surrey detachment, there were six pairs of handcuffs which were kept at the offi ce.

Today, all members carry the standard assortment of support tools for which they are trained to use: 9 mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic which contains 15 rounds; two extra magazines each containing 15 rounds; baton; pepper spray; fl ashlight; Taser; handcuffs; and a portable radio.

Top right: Sam Browne Belt with ammunition pouch (photo courtesy Sheldon Boles). Tasers (right) are part of a modern Mountie’s arsenal.

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Congratulations Surrey RCMP on your 60th Anniversary

by Sheldon Boles

When the RCMP took over from the Surrey Police Department in 1951, they inherited a 1948

Harley Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar. Former RCMP Staff-Sgt. Mert Rowden

recalled that “bikes were especially useful in those days when the fog was as thick as pea soup. With the bike, you didn’t have to drive with your head out the window to see the centre line or the edge of the road.”

Rowden said the Cloverdale-based Harley was used by the summer offi ce at Crescent Beach for many years.

“Members used the sidecar to transport seized liquor back to the detachment.”

In the late 1950s, the original Harley caught fi re due to a defective carburetor and burned. This problem was reported to the Trev Deeley Motorcycles Shop in Vancouver and resulted in the detachment receiving a replacement Harley.


1950 photo of the original 1948 Harley Davidson used by the Surrey PoliceDepartment and later the RCMP.

Harleys hit the roadMotorcycles cut through fog, gridlock

See CRASH / Page 8


by Sheldon Boles

When the original RCMP members showed up in Surrey on May 1, 1951 they brought no vehicles or police equipment with them.

Upon taking over the policing of Surrey, the RCMP mem-bers immediately took control of the Surrey Police vehicles. These vehicles were two-door Fords and Chevrolets painted black. Each had two red lights and a siren mounted on the roof.

Initially, there were no door markings to denote it was a police vehicle. Shortly after taking over, the detachment commander arranged to have the doors painted white and the letters “RCMP” painted on them.

Once established in their new dedicated police building, the RCMP created a plainclothes unit and a dedicated traffi c section. With these two new units, the detachment com-mander requested and received three additional vehicles. Most of the police car fl eet was serviced at Grisman Automo-tives, which was situated across the street from the Clover Inn.

In 1950s, there was no such thing as a “safety shield” between the prisoner and the driver. Prisoners were placed in the back seat and told to “sit there and don’t move.”

Usually, a second member would be in the police vehicle when an arrested person was being escorted to the Clover-dale detachment.

When a prisoner started to act up, the member would pull to the side of the road and take appropriate action to subdue the individual. In those days, handcuffs were not personal-issued items. All six sets of handcuffs and leg-irons were kept at the Cloverdale offi ce and were reserved for prisoner escorts.

Members had to take extreme care in not damaging their vehicles. When a police vehicle was damaged beyond repair, it would take months to obtain a replacement. When there was a police car accident, a detailed investigation would be con-ducted. If the member was found to be at fault for the accident then they would be obligated to pay for a portion of the dam-age or replacement cost of the police vehicle.

Today, all RCMP vehicles across Canada are white in colour and have the same markings. The full crest of the

RCMP is displayed on the front doors of the vehicle. The siren is located behind the grill with the control unit within fi ngertip range of the driver.

Surrey detachment has a fl eet of more than 250 vehicles, about 150 of which are marked police vehicles of all makes and models.

Handling police cars with care In the 1950s, at-fault Mounties in collisions had to pay for repairs


1953 RCMP car used in Cloverdale.

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The Surrey Board of Educationcongratulates the Surrey RCMPon…

Surrey RCMP offi cers make our schools and ourneighbourhoods safer. On behalf of our staff and students, the Board thanks the Surrey RCMP and the school liaisonoffi cers for their personal investment in our schools andongoing commitment to student safety.

60 YEARSOF POLICING

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION 1927 - 2011

Branch 6, Cloverdale 1756 -57 Ave, Surrey 604-574-5300y

Congratulations to the RCMP for its 60 years in Surrey!

Did you know that the RCMP formed the fi rst provost company in the Canadian military? That is why they are permitted to be ordinary members of the Royal Canadian Legion. And although they now have separate legislation under which they can claim for their disabilities received on the job, they can still be represented through the Royal Canadian Legion’s Service Offi cer Network.

The Royal Canadian Legion is a part of this community, as are the RCMP. But not being PPa member of the Legion does not mean that they cannot use our services for claims. They can and they do.

If any RCMP offi cer feels that he or she has been injured on the job they can be represented by the Royal Canadian Legion through all the levels of the application and appeals processes that are in place. It is just another way of showing that we appreciate their service in Surrey, and across the nation. We care.

Happy Anniversary Surrey Detachment for your 60 years of service to our community.


By 1960, the RCMP had 10 Harley Davidson motorcycles in B.C.

Motorcycles were frequently used at the Pattullo Bridge offi ce which was situated at the south end of the bridge. The motorcycle provided a quick means to navigate through blocked traffi c and respond to accidents on the bridge.

On July 15, 1962, the fi rst RCMP mem-ber to be killed on a Harley Davidson occurred in Surrey. The member’s name was Const. Archille Lepine.

Lepine had recently passed the motorcycle course and was partnered

with a senior rider. His partner that night assisted with the arrest of a prisoner and left his bike at the Pattullo Bridge offi ce.

Lepine followed the police car contain-ing his partner and the arrested person.

As he rode up Peterson Hill, a deliv-ery vehicle travelling in the opposite direction on the King George Highway attempted to make a left turn in front of Lepine. In the collision, Lepine’s head hit the door post of the truck.

Following an inquest into Lepine’s death, the municipal solicitor recom-mended the driver of the delivery vehicle be charged and a conviction followed.


1968 –Motorcycle course members are inspected at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.

Crash and convictionFrom page 6

by Sheldon Boles

To staff the new Surrey detach-ment, the RCMP sought out young and mobile young con-stables. The majority of the origi-

nal 14 members who took over from the Surrey Municipal Police Department came from variousRCMP detachments across the prairies.

In 1951, the total RCMP detachment strength was 18: Cpl. William Turner as the fi rst detachment commander; 14 were RCMP members; one ex-B.C. Provincial Police offi cer; Paul Starek the 17th member and Jim Craig being the 18th member.

Both Starek and Craig had homes in Surrey. Turner arranged to have accommodation for the new 15 members.

During the fi rst 12 months of policing in Surrey, many young single RCMP constables either stayed the old post offi ce or roomed at a home on Old McLellan Road. Most of the members ate their meals at White’s Restaurant, which was across the street from the post offi ce.

From a human resource perspective, the taking over of the B.C. Provincial Police and the Surrey Police Department created some challenges for the RCMP. The key advantage that the RCMP had was they

had previously established a fl exible constable population. This fl exibility was enabled by:

• All members had to sign a service contract which was renewed every fi ve years. If a member’s service was less than satisfactory, his term would not be renewed;

• Members could only get married after completing fi ve years of good service and having saved a set amount of money in the bank;

• Members were unable to return to or work in the province that they grew up in; and

• Most members were transferred every three to six months in the fi rst fi ve years of their service.

Despite the low pay and the strict paramilitary structure, the RCMP attracted young men from across the country. The sense of duty and adventure drew them into the ranks of the RCMP.

Are you old enough to drive?

For the original 18 members, they usually came to work two hours before their eight-hour shift started and stayed two hours after their shift ended. On the weekend,

everyone worked. It was not unusual for these members to come to work on their days off to catch up on their investigations and type up their reports.

According to Charlie Thomas, “there was no such thing as paid overtime in those days nor compensation for time worked. Members worked the long hours because they loved the job.”

According to Bill McConnell, “members would sometimes have a day off and would catch a ride to New Westminster, which was the main shopping area for Surrey in those days. Alternatively, members would catch the street car in New Westminster and it would take them to downtown Vancouver.”

An unexpected challenge facing four of the original 18 members was that they were not permitted to operate a police car in B.C. until they were 21 years of age. The problem was that the RCMP was hiring new members at the age of 18. Until the driving age was lowered, the RCMP had to ensure only members 21 years and older were transferred to British Columbia.


RCMP members adapt Many Mounties spent their first year bunking at the post office

In 1951, Paul Starek was the 17th member to join the Surrey RCMP

Original members of the Surrey RCMP were not permit-ted to drive a police car in B.C. untilage 21 –the offi cialdriving agein theprovince.The problem was, the force was hiring new members at the ageof 18.


by Sheldon Boles

I n February 1961, Commissioner C.W. Harvison authorized the creation of the RCMP Auxiliary member program. The

program consisted the recruiting of unpaid volunteers in the community to assist RCMP Detachments with policing emergencies.

The duties of these RCMP Auxiliary members expanded to directly support and assist uniformed RCMP members while on patrols.

In 1963, the recruiting for RCMP Auxiliary members began throughout the province of British Columbia. According to the Commissioner, these Auxiliary members were

to wear uniforms which conformed to the colour and patterns of the RCMP. Each uniform would bear a distinguishing shoulder badge.

In 1966, the initial RCMP Auxiliary members wore the same brown serge, hat, and navy blue trousers as the regular RCMP members. The only difference was Auxiliary shoulder fl ash used on each shoulder and as a cap badge.

In 1978, a new RCMP Auxiliary shoulder title was introduced and worn on all uniforms.

While auxiliary members are unpaid volunteers, in some cases, auxiliary members join the RCMP.

Today, the Surrey RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program has 85 members.

PHOTO COURTESY SHELDON BOLES

1966 – One of the fi rst RCMP Auxiliary training classes. Surreydetachment member Don Ormiston is sixth from the left in the middle row. Ormiston later became a justice of the peace for Surrey.

RCMP Auxiliary program initiated in 1961

Volunteer support started early

Better pay; no more ‘neigh’

While the determination to provide outstanding service continues today, traditions in the RCMP have changed:

� Equestrian training was removed from the basic RCMP training;

� A better salary structure was adopted, along with overtime pay;

� RCMP members now usually stay at a detachment for two to fi ve years;

� Female members were admitted;

� Members are now permitted to return to their home province.


Safe-crackers & rowdy dance halls Policing Surrey in the 1950s consisted largely of keeping the peace

by Sheldon Boles

I n the early 1950s, the policing of Sur-rey was primarily focused on “keeping the peace.” The types of investigations Mounties conducted were as follows:

• Suicides – mostly among the single male population in Surrey;

• Business break-ins;• Domestic disputes;• Motor vehicle accidents; • Speeding vehicles;• Safe-cracking at local businesses;• Noisy and rowdy dance halls;• Delivering babies;• Liquor complaints at the beach; and• Minor thefts.When members were not conducting

investigations, they were performing many support activities such as traffi c control, supervising school crosswalks, and just stopping to talk to the citizens of Surrey.

“It was a pleasure working in Surrey as an RCMP member,” recalls Charlie Thomas. “People truly respected their RCMP members

who in turn gave their 100 per cent in keeping the community safe. In these early years, the RCMP uniform did 90 per cent of the work and was the symbol of authority in Surrey.”

Bill McConnell remembers “there was always something going on in Surrey and there was never a dull moment.”

These original members experienced unique challenges, some of which ring true today:

• New members had diffi culty navigating around Surrey because all the streets had unique names;

• Long distances had to be travelled from Cloverdale to the various communities in Surrey, such as White Rock, Newton and Whalley; and

• Whalley was the centre of the core problems for police in Surrey.

According to Bill McCheyne, the reason that Whalley was a hotbed was because the B.C. Penitentiary was across the Fraser River from Surrey. When an inmate was sent to the jail, their families often moved to South Westminster – which is now known as

Bridgeview – so they could visit their loved one in jail.

“When the inmate got out of jail, they didn’t move back to where they came from,” McCheyne says. “Instead, they stayed in Surrey and continued their criminal activities as they had done in the past... which kept the RCMP members busy.”

Speeding vehicles on King George Highway were a chronic problem in the early 1950s and required constant policing.

The intersection of King George Highway and Fraser Highway was a concern. This intersection had the only traffi c light in Surrey and drivers frequently failed to stop, which resulted in many collisions. To address this, members would sit at this intersection to ensure everyone stopped.

In the early 1950s, drug use and traffi cking were extremely rare. The only drug that was a major problem was liquor.

All the original members agreed they acquired outstanding investigational skills while working in Surrey. This developed an excellent foundation for their future postings.


1951 – RCMP member performs crosswalk duty at the intersection of 72 Avenue and King George Highway.

Social, economic and demographic changesare constantly re-shaping Canadian Society andover the past couple of decades the South AsianCommunity has grown exponentially withinSurrey-Delta. In 1985, a group of volunteerscame together to meet the needs of this growingcommunity. PICS or the Progressive InterculturalCommunity Services Society now works to makethe lives of new and recent immigrants enjoyableand ful lling by providing them with positiveexperiences in Canada.

With the growth of the community, PICS hasgone through signi cant changes in its structure,staff, facilities and programs; now offeringvarious programs and services that are at no cost to participants and also through low cost trainingopportunities.

With funding coming from private, individual organizations, Government, diverse foundations, BC GamingBranch and United Way of the Lower Mainland among others, PICS now offers several new programs to the SouthAsian Community.– Commissionaires BC have recently opened an of ce within the One Stop Learning Center; this of ce allows clients

to get their ngerprints done quicker. This digital ngerprinting service makes getting criminal record checks faster for new immigrants.

– PICS employment services provides aid to more than 3,000 clients with a success rate of more than 90%. TheIMMPowerBC (SkillsConnect) program helps internationally-trained, skilled and professional newcomers to ndsuitable jobs/careers in their eld. Having served 233 clients this year long, these clients came from 48 different countries.

– PICS Assisted Living having had its rst residents in February 2007 and now with 54 residents occupying 49 suitesat the Assisted Living facility, seniors continue to lead an independent life, where 24 hour care is provided to assist the residents with maintaining their activities of daily living. PICS has been operating subsidized housing for anumber of years and the independent housing units cater to about 90 people.In addition, PICS has identi ed the need for a program that will aid and support immigrant women with no

support system in Canada, and abandoned wives with no resources. Through this project, these women will be ableto live in a safe, supportive environment which will not only house them, but their children as well. A new initiative,PICS is looking for support from the community. These women will have access to a network of opportunitiesthrough the programs and services that PICS and the community offers.

To support this project please call 604-596-7722.

Helping ImmigrantsThrough New Programs

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Rigorous routine Standards high, training tough for recruits

by Sheldon Boles

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the RCMP’s basic standards for admission into the force were: male only; marital status single; between the ages of 19 and 21; over 5’10”; physically fi t; a minimum of Grade 10

education; valid driver’s licence; and being of sound and honest character. Most applicants came from the rural areas throughout Canada and a few from the cities.

After agreeing to remain single for a minimum of fi ve years and passing a complete medical examination, recruits were enrolled into the RCMP as third-class constables. Their starting salary was $2,640 per year.

During this period, the recruits went to the RCMP Academy “Depot” Division in Regina, Sask. for the fi rst six months of their training, and then completed the remaining six months of equestrian training in Ottawa.

During training, each recruit was assigned to a troop and each troop consisted of 32 members. These recruits shared a 32-man dorm. They were issued two wool blankets: one grey and one brown. On extremely cold winter nights, both blankets were required because the snow would sometimes drift under the doors.

A fresh haircut welcomed the new recruits prior to them

being issued their new RCMP uniforms and kit. The usual weekday routine consisted of: • Bugle sounding at 6 a.m. and everyone had to be on

parade by 6:30 a.m.; • After morning parade, recruits would perform

assigned fatigue duty or tend to the horses; • Rush to have breakfast began at 8 a.m., then be on

parade for the Sergeant Major’s inspection; • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., recruits would take classes

in foot drill, swimming, equitation, physical training, criminal law, fi rst aid, history of the force, and fi ngerprinting.

• 12:30 p.m. was the noon parade where most of the troops would turnout for inspection by the commanding offi cer;

• Dinner between 4:30 and 6 p.m.; • Recruits spent their evenings studying, ironing clothes,

and writing home to family and friends;• 6:30 p.m., the duty NCO conducted an evening parade

where designated recruits were assigned specifi c fatigue duties;

• 10:30 p.m. – lights out for all recruits.PHOTO COURTESY RIC HALL

1940s and 1950s RCMP recruiting poster.See TROOPS / Page 13

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Women in uniformFemale members began joining the ranks of the RCMP in 1974

by Sheldon Boles

Since the formation of the RCMP in 1873 and for the next 100 years, the force had been totally comprised of male police offi -

cers. It was these pioneers who brought law and order to the frontier areas of the prairies and in the far north.

However, women have worked in the force as far back as 1890. They were employed to perform duties as a matron to deal with female offenders or form part of an escort when female prisoners were moved from one place to another. In most cases, these female employees were the wives of RCMP members.

The fi rst civilian female member was Dr. Francis McGill. In 1920, she was appointed as a pathologist at the provincial laboratory in Regina, Sask. Two years later, she was appointed the director of the same laboratory.

When a murder was committed, McGill was called upon by the RCMP to assist with their investigations. Her thoroughness and attention to detail resulted in her being nicknamed the “Sherlock Holmes of Saskatchewan.”

Her apparent success was attributed to her motto of “think like a man, act like a lady and work like a dog.”

In 1943, McGill was appointed director of the RCMP’s forensic laboratory in Regina. As director, she coordinated the training of the

country’s future police offi cers and detectives in medical jurisprudence, pathology and toxicology. After formally stepping down from these duties, McGill was appointed an Honorary RCMP Surgeon on Jan. 16, 1946 and continued to serve as a consultant to the force.

Attaining positions of leadership

On May 23, 1974, Commissioner M.J. Nadon announced that the RCMP would begin hiring female members. In early September 1974, the fi rst female members arrived at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division training centre in Regina. These fi rst 32 female members formed Troop 17. After completing the basic training program, Troop 17 members graduated on March 3, 1975 and were transferred to various detachments across Canada.

Surrey detachment received one of

these fi rst female members – Const. Greta Mortensen.

These original female members served as role models for other women to join the ranks of the RCMP.

The original female members had their own unique uniform which consisted of:

• Circular styled forge cap was worn with all different types of uniform;

• Black purse which contained an internal holster;

• Navy blue skirts and heels instead of the boots and breeches; and

• Female style red serge instead of the traditional RCMP red serge.

These articles of clothing were introduced to provide the female members with a more feminine uniform. After many years of complaints from female members, their uniform was changed to be identical to the traditional RCMP uniform.

Over the next three decades, female Mounties would rise through the ranks of the force and distinguish themselves in various management and leadership roles.

Bev Busson was a member of Troop 17 and on Dec. 15, 2006 became the 21st commissioner of the RCMP.

Today, female members make up 30 per cent of all new applicants to the RCMP. Women make up 18 per cent of the Surrey detachment.

Above: Const. Greta Mortensen is shown at the opening of the Roger Pierlet Overpass in Surrey in1976 (photo courtesy City of Surrey Archives, originallypublished in The Columbian, May 20, 1976. Below right: 1975 RCMP recruiting leafl et focused on attracting females to the RCMP (courtesy Sheldon Boles).

“Think like a man, act

like a lady and work

like a dog.”

Dr. Francis McGill


From Stetsons to Sikh turbans Surrey’s Baltej Singh Dhillon changed the face of the force

Black Press

It was a moment he’ll never forget.

With his mother, wife and nephew proudly watching,

Surrey’s Baltej Sing Dhillon, then 24, was sworn into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Aug. 30, 1990.

More than 20 years later, the seasoned sergeant remembers the achievement with a subtle smile.

”I was ecstatic, I was overjoyed,” Dhillon said. ”It was the fi rst step to having my dream achieved. It was a great thing.”

Prior to Dhillon, no Sikh recruit with a turban and beard had ever been welcomed into the prestigious ranks.

There wasn’t a very strong (ethnic) representation in the RCMP 20 years ago, Dhillon noted.

Despite having a criminology education and Surrey RCMP Block Watch volunteer hours under his belt – along with speaking English, Malay, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and enough French to get by – Dhillon learned his goal of becoming a Mountie wouldn’t be as easy to achieve as he fi rst thought.

During an interview with an RCMP recruiter in 1989, Dhillon was asked if he would trade in his

turban – thus his faith – for the RCMP’s standard-issue Stetson.

“I said, ‘No, I would not’,” Dhillon said.

There were no provisions nor allowances for him to wear his turban or beard; policy was strict.

Dhillon challenged the regulation – an act that generated severe criticism, petitions, court challenges and even a death threat.

In April of 1989, in response to Dhillon’s situation, RCMP commissioner Norman Inkster recommended the prohibition against turbans be lifted and uniform requests be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

On March 15, 1990, Canada’s Solicitor General Pierre Cadieux announced that Sikhs

in the RCMP were welcome to wear their turbans and other religious symbols as part of their uniform.

Dhillon went on to become an RCMP officer with the City of Surrey. He was a polygraph examiner for B.C.’s major crime section and is now with the provincial intelligence centre.

“For those of you who didn’t think I’d last a day, I’m still here,” Dhillon said proudly.

LEADER FILE PHOTO

Baltej Singh Dhillon(second from left) stands with his comrades in Regina during RCMP graduation day on May 13, 1991.

LEADER FILE PHOTO

This may marks 20 years after Baltej Singh Dhillon’s graduation from RCMP training Depot in Regina. Dhillon is the fi rst turban-wearing Sikh to bewelcomed into the ranks.

Each Friday, the Sergeant Major would inspect all barrack rooms. Any recruit or troop found not keeping up their sleeping area and barrack room in a neat and organized matter would then

be assigned fatigue duties and confi ned to barracks for a set period of time.

The equestrian training was not primarily aimed at teaching a recruit to ride. Instead, it was a means of testing the obedience and ability to accept criticism

of each recruit. In turn, their subsequent work on detachment would never fi nd them in a situation where they were more physically or mentally challenged than during the period of their 12 months of training.

Whether the recruit moved from one location to another alone or in a group, all recruits were expected to march in good order. Troops that had not yet mastered marching would be expected to run everywhere.

Weekends away from the training centres was not automatic. Each recruit had to apply for a pass and needed to present themselves to the guardroom for inspection. Only recruits who had a fresh haircut, ironed shirt, tie, polished shoes, dress jacket and pressed

slacks would be permitted to board the bus for downtown.

All graduating recruits were interviewed by the personnel branch to determine their preferences on what provinces they would like to be transferred to. Policy of the force at that time was that a recruit could not be posted to their home province.

Through the 12 months of training, each new member had learned the importance of working in a collective group and depending upon one another.

As members transferred throughout the force, they would develop deep and everlasting bonds with other members. This bond of friendship would last well beyond their service in the RCMP.

Troops: Had their marching orders

PHOTOS COURTESY RIC HALL

Above: outside gym classes at Depot training centre in the 1950s. At right: Despite the hardships of training, long-lasting friendships developed.

From page 11


by Sheldon Boles

In 1951, the Surrey RCMP detachment was too small to operate a 24-hours-a-day and seven-days-a-week telephone

answering service for the citizens of Surrey.

And 911 service was still decades away.

So in those days, people wanting the police would telephone the RCMP offi ce in New Westminster, which would then relay the information to a Surrey detachment member on patrol or someone who may be sitting in the Cloverdale offi ce.

If the radio signal was not clear, then the member would stop at the nearest telephone booth to call either the Cloverdale offi ce or the citizen requesting police assistance.

Today, Surrey detachment

operates the second-largest police communications centre in the Lower Mainland. This centre operates out of the main RCMP detachment building on 57 Avenue.

In 2010, this centre handled 174,000 calls. The centre is staffed by City of Surrey Employees.

All uniformed members on patrol also have a cellular phone at their disposal.

In 1951, the population in Surrey was just under 32,000 people and this included the citizens of White Rock.

Sixty years later, the population of Surrey is estimated at 482,500.

The Surrey RCMP detachment has had a similar growth in members to keep up with increasing levels of crime and the complexities of completing a thorough investigation (see sidebar at right).

Public patched through to police Rotary phones and radios used to alert RCMP in the early days

Surrey RCMP members:� 1951: 18

� 1963: 63

� 1973: 150

� 1990: 270

� 2011: 641

� Today, the City of Surrey is the

12th largest city in the country and

the Surrey detachment, with its 641

members, is the largest RCMP

detachment in Canada.

From rotary dial telephones to a state-of-the-art call centre, police communications have come a long way in 60 years.

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by Sheldon Boles

In the early years at Surrey detachment, there were no clerical staff to support the members. Consequently,

the detachment commander was responsible for all the administrative work.

Members had to type out all their investigational reports with multiple carbon copies. For example, typed exhibit reports required six copies. For certain offences, copies of these investigations were forwarded to the New Westminster RCMP subdivision offi ce. The 1932 Underwood typewriter was the essential tool that investigators used to complete their investigations.

All investigations were contained within the occurrence book or placed in the operational

investigational fi ling cabinet. A log was maintained which listed all investigations which had occurred in that particular year.

To ensure members of the detachment were aware of all the criminal activity taking place in Surrey, a Daily Detail Report (DDR) listing was typed each day and

placed in a clipboard. As members started their shifts, they were expected to review the DDRs before heading out of the offi ce.

For outstanding warrants, the detachment would send a list of all wanted individuals to the New Westminster subdivision offi ce and staff there would circulate this list to other surrounding detachments and police agencies.

To ensure consistency and compliance with the force’s Operational Manual, the detachment commander would regularly review all investigations to ensure they were being handled properly.

The Operational Manual set out specifi c procedures which had to be followed to ensure consistency throughout the force.

Every few years, the offi cer commanding the New Westminster subdivision would conduct a

detachment inspection to ensure the detachment commander was complying with the provisions of the Operational Manual and the RCMP Regulations and Order.

The Regulations and Order Manual regulated administrative matters within the detachment, such as which uniforms were to be worn on specifi c occasions, handling of prisoners, pay, audits, disciplinary procedures, care and maintenance of police vehicles, etc.

Electronic revolution

Today, all the RCMP’s manual and procedures are in electronic format. They are viewed via the force’s intranet (internal network).

The Surrey detachment commander now has more than 225 non-police support

staff to assist in the running of the detachment. Senior offi cers ensure the smooth running of the detachment and compliance with all force policies.

The majority of the Surrey RCMP’s 641 members are only involved in conducting investigations. Each patrol member receives their dispatched calls on either the police radio or electronically transferred data to their mobile data terminal. When the member fi nishes or updates their investigation, this information is automatically forwarded to the watch inspector’s electronic queue. Once the watch inspector reviews and approves the content, the investigational information is then uploaded to the provincial PRIME-BC database and made available to all members of the detachment, as well as other police agencies throughout British Columbia.

Before Surrey detachment had the support of 225 non-police support staff, as it does now, offi cers in the early years needed nimble fi ngers to fi ll out reports.

Quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog Typing skills an asset, 1932 Underwood a crucial tool for early cops

Partners in Public SafetyCongratulations on 60 years of great community service.

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by Sheldon Boles

Police offi cers in British Columbia have two separate forensic support sections which provide assistance in their criminal investigations:

Forensic Identifi cation Section and RCMP Forensic Laboratories.

Forensic Identifi cation Section – All municipal police departments and RCMP detachments have their own dedicated Forensic Identifi cation Section. These sections provide fi rst-line support in the location, seizure and identifi cation of “trace-evidence” which was left at a crime scene or recovered from a suspect/victim.

The capture methods available has traditionally included: chemical and powder techniques to reveal fi ngerprints; photographing crime scenes; producing plan drawings; and searching for physical evidence such as footprints or glove prints.

When more advanced techniques (such as DNA analysis, fi rearm examination, etc.) are required, the seized exhibits are forwarded to the Vancouver Forensic Laboratory.

RCMP Forensic Laboratories – In 1937, The RCMP established its fi rst laboratory in Regina and was created based on the work being done at Scotland Yard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Later, other RCMP laboratories were opened in Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

The Vancouver laboratory fi rst opened in 1963 and was subsequently replaced with a new building in 1974. This laboratory provides a wide range of analysis and expertise to all RCMP detachments and municipal police agencies in B.C.

The services it offers include:Biology Services – biological evidence

recovery, DNA analysis and type profi ling;Toxicology Services – analysis to

determine the cause of death and the level of intoxication by either alcohol or drugs;

Firearms and Tool Identifi cation Services – expertise in determining the origin of a bullet, cartridge case or other ammunition from a particular fi rearm; the make and model of a weapon which fi red a seized bullet; the distance the muzzle of a fi rearm was from the target at the time of discharge; serial number restoration; physically matching wood, metal or plastic fragments; and determining whether a tool mark impression was made by a given tool.

Trace Evidence Section – physical evidence such as paint, fi re debris, clothing and footwear, glass, fi bres and textiles, safe insulation and a wide range of commercial products. All matters relating to explosive analysis are handled by this section.

Anti-Counterfeiting Bureau (only in Ottawa) – provides two areas of expertise: counterfeit and document analysis.

Fingering suspects

In the early 1950s, the Surrey detachment didn’t have a dedicated Forensic Identifi cation Section. These services were provided out of the New Westminster sub-division offi ce. This offi ce provided identifi cation services to many of the surrounding detachments such as Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond and Langley.

In the late 1960s, the Surrey detachment established its own Forensic Identifi cation Section and it was based out of the fi rst fl oor of the old city hall building in Cloverdale. The section remained in this offi ce until 1973 and then moved into the new detachment

building in Cloverdale.In those early days, the identifi cation

section members would attend crime scenes, take photographs and discover possible suspect fi ngerprints. These fi ngerprints would be compared against the fi ngerprints taken from local criminals.

If no fi ngerprint matches were found then a high-quality photograph of the fi ngerprints would be forwarded to the RCMP headquarters’ Single Fingerprint Section, which would compare against the national inventory of criminal fi ngerprints.

The Single Fingerprint Section comparison would usually take months to process using this labour-intensive manual method serving the entire country.

In those early days, the forensic section members took their own photographs, processed the fi lm, and printed the required number of black-and-white photographs. If the photographs were being submitted to court, the members would be required to make 12 to 15 different copies. The development and processing of fi lm was a major consumer of their time.

When colour images were eventually accepted by the courts, photographs were forwarded to the Headquarters Ottawa Photo Section for processing and the production of required copies.

As the City of Surrey grew, the section increased in staff and in the early 1980s, hired its fi rst municipal employee – Doreen Andrews. She fi rst started as a receptionist and later advanced to a darkroom technician.

74 ‘CSI’ types The Lower Mainland District’s Integrated

Forensic Identifi cation Services provides support to 13 RCMP detachments and operates out of eight different locations – including the Surrey detachment.

The integrated section employees 54 regular members, 10 forensic identifi cation assistants, and 10 support staff.

The mandate of this section is to provide scientifi c expertise to maximize the quantity and quality of physical evidence recovery. This provides the foundation upon which the successful conviction of those responsible for criminal acts can occur.

Today, with the advent of high-defi nition digital video, digital photography, fi ngerprint scanners, DNA profi ling and laser technology, a section member can now view an image and document the details immediately.

Members no longer have to spend the bulk of their time in the darkroom. Instead, they are able to capture more trace evidence at a crime scene, use technology to quickly analyze the evidence, and then provide the investigators with a timely response.

Fingerprinting is just one of the tools used. Section members also rely on DNA profi ling with the collection of hair, clothing fi bre, blood, paint or metallic particles at crime scenes. Impressions for tire tracks, tool marks or footprints are still being searched and collected by section members.

In cases of major crimes, the integrated section has a mobile 30-foot vehicle with a self-contained laboratory and temporary storage facilities.

The public profi le of the police forensic science has been increased with the advent of several CIS-type television programs. Although these shows use literary licence to maintain viewers’ interest, they do highlight the types of dedicated work that members of the Integrated Forensic Identifi cation Services are undertaking every day.

Cops and cameras: CSI has changed60 years ago, police officers spent a lot of time in the darkroom

PHOTOS COURTESY SURREY RCMP

Above: A member of the RCMP Forensic Identifi cation Services dusts for fi ngerprints. Below: An offi cers prepares to send a scanned fi ngerprint image.


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by Sheldon Boles

When the North-West Mounted Police were fi rst assigned to the Yukon and other northern

areas of Canada, they quickly discovered that they could not patrol by horseback.

In the remote areas of the north, there were very few roads. In the summer, members used rivers and lakes to navigate their canoes to various locations. In the winter, they used dog teams to conduct their patrols and investigations.

They adopted native huskies and malamutes. Without the thick-coated huskies, which would curl up in the deep snow to sleep, the Mounties would never have accomplished their long winter patrols.

The longest RCMP dog team patrol was undertaken between 1917 and 1918. Two members were tasked to investigate the murder of two white hunters by two Inuits. They journeyed a total of 5,153 miles using a dog team travelling from Hudson Bay to Coppermine River and

back. For this famous patrol, one member received the Imperial Service Order and the other member received the King’s Police Medal.

By the 1920s, the North was becoming mechanized. The bush plane appeared. Later came the snowmobile, which could handle the deep snow and haul supplies. The need for dog teams was gone.

Between 1908 and 1935, the RCMP frequently used privately owned dogs to assist in their investigations or with locating lost individuals. The RCMP Dog Services Section was formed in 1935 with the acquisition of three German shepherds: Black Lux, Dale of Cawsalta and Sultan.

Commissioner James MacBrien was satisfi ed with the value of having police dogs and authorized the establishment of a dedicated police service dog training centre in Calgary.

In 1940, the force won its fi rst case involving dog search evidence.

Canine partners Dogs were crucial companions for

early RCMP patrols

See AWARD-WINNING / Page 19

to The Surrey RCMP on their 60th Anniversary from all

of us here at Sullivan Motors Ltd. It has been our pleasure making sure the RCMP

fl eet vehicles stay on the road by insuring the safety of their fl eet and personal

vehicles. We at Sullivan Motors Ltd. will insure the safety of your fl eet to keep you

and your family on the road too. Thank you to The Surrey RCMP for serving our

community and for your patronage throughout the many years. We look forward

to many more years and we look forward to seeing all of our new and long time

customers from the past 15 years.

Congratulations!

When the RCMP took over policing in Surrey, Const. Sandy Sanderson was stationed at the RCMP’s preventative section in Cloverdale and he had the only police service dog in the province. His dog’s name was P.C. Buddy.

Sanderson and P.C. Buddy patrolled the U.S.-Canada border and assisted in police criminal investigations.

“There were times that they were gone for weeks assisting other detachments,” recalled Bill McCheyne. “I specifi cally remember a call that they responded to. It was a reported break-and-enter at a store on Crescent Beach Road. Two guys held up the store and made off with $2,100. Sandy was called and

the two suspects were tracked and eventually located. Both were arrested and convicted. Sandy and Buddy ended up getting an award for their outstanding work.”

Many decades ago, Surrey detachment recognized the benefi t of having a dedicated police services dog section. Since 2005, the canine section has been managed regionally.

Today, the responsibilities of the detachment’s police dog services section includes: locating lost persons; tracking criminals; searching for narcotics, explosives, illicit alcohol and stills, crime scene evidence and lost property; VIP protection; crowd control; hostage situations; avalanche search and rescue; and police/community relations.

From page 17

Award-winning dog

1940 – Some original RCMP dog service handlers and their police canines.

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by Sheldon Boles

During the March West in 1874, 275 offi cers and men of the North West Mounted Police

dressed in their bright scarlet Norfolk jackets and white helmets headed west from Fort Garry to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the horses they rode were the best that could be found in Ontario.

For the March West, horses were divided into different groups and assigned to specifi c troops:

• “A” Division rode matched dark bays;

• “ B” Division rode dark browns;• “C” Division rode bright

chestnuts;• “D” Division (the Lance

Division) carried their British Cavalry light lances and rode greys and buckskins;.

• “E” Division rode the beautiful blacks; and

• “F” Division rode light bays.Originally, the force established

forts from which members would conduct patrols. In later years, outposts were created so members could reach more remote communities. Prior to 1920, the majority of patrols were conducted on horseback. Members used horse patrols to visit settlement and conduct their investigations.

Hooves to wheels

In 1914, the RCMP purchased its fi rst car and was used to escort prisoners. The vehicle was a seven-passenger MacLauglin.

At the time, one of the

commanding offi cers gave directions that “the tops on these cars should not be put up neither in rain nor shine because horses don’t have roofs neither should cars.”

From wheels to war

In 1918, the force was permitted to form two mounted squadrons to contribute to the First World War: RNWMP “A” Squadron, which consisted of 750 members and horses, was sent to Europe; and RNWMP “B” Squadron, which consisted of 184 members and horses, was sent off to join the Canadian contingent of the Siberian Expeditionary Force. This expedition was aimed at supporting the White Russian Forces during the Russian Revolution.

The “B” Squadron departed Canada on Nov. 18, 1918 and was based outside Vladivostok, Siberia but saw only limited action. Prior to departing from Siberia in June of 1919, the force turned their 181 horses over to the White Russian Army near the Ural mountains. While en route to deliver the horses, the train was blown up by the Bolsheviks resulting in several horses being killed. Trooper W.J. Henderson was the only member to die in Siberia and he was buried at the Vladivostok’s Naval Cemetery.

Musical Ride a source of pride

Today, the symbol of the RCMP is promoted around the world

with performances by the RCMP’s Musical Ride.

The fi rst public display of horsemanship was fi rst held in 1876 at Fort Macleod. Members also demonstrated tent pegging and mounted swordsmanship. These skills were taught to the early Mounties by ex-Imperial Cavalry members such as Sgt. Maj. Joseph Francis. Prior to joining the force, he had been a member of the British13 Dragoons. He was with the Dragoons at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 and participated in the “Charge of the Light Brigade.” According to Francis, he was only one of eight members of his regiment who returned from the battle still on their horses.

At Fort Macleod, a volunteer band of members provided the music to accompany the horsemanship.

In 1904, RCMP Depot troops performed at prairie agricultural fairs. The public loved these performances and they became a major feature at most fairs until 1918, when they were discontinued.

In 1920, they were resumed when RCMP headquarters moved from Regina to Ottawa. With this move, 160 horses and members were transported back east. The quarters for these horses and men was established at Rockcliffe, Ontario which is still the home of the RCMP’s Musical Ride.

The Musical Ride has grown in popularity and become part of Canada’s heritage.

Noble steedsSince the 1874 March West, horses have been

synonymous with the image of the RCMP

Top photo: North West Mounted Police in 1876

(courtesy of the RCMP Museum).

Middle photo: RNWMP ‘B’

Squadron at their Gornostai

Bay Barracks in Siberia in 1919

(courtesy ofSheldon Boles).Bottom photo: RCMP Musical Ride members

perform atSurrey’s Olympic Celebration Site

in February, 2010 (Boaz Joseph

photo).

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Congratulations for 60 years of service.

by Sheldon Boles

Since the formation of the force in 1873, a total of 222 members have been killed serving their communi-ties and the country.

On the May 1, 1951, the RCMP took over policing the municipality of Surrey. Since that time, four Surrey detachment members has been killed in the line of duty.

The fi rst member to be killed was Const. Archille Lepine.

On July 15, 1962, Lepine was posted to the Pattullo Bridge offi ce. On this date, he was operating a police Harley Davidson motorcycle. Lepine backed up another member who attended a fi ght at the Turf Hotel. Once the individual involved in the fi ght was arrested, the member transported the arrested person back to the Grosvenor Road sub-offi ce. Lepine followed on the Harley and drove up King George Highway. It was his intention to assist the other member in removing the arrested person from the police car.

As Lepine approached the intersection of King George Highway and 112 Street, a car pulled out in front of the Harley and both vehicles collided. As a result of the injuries sustained in this crash, Lepine passed away in hospital on July 19, 1962.

The second member from the Surrey detachment killed was Const. Roger Pierlet.

On March 29, 1974, Pierlet was working his last shift before taking time off to be

married. He noticed a vehicle being driven erratically in Cloverdale. The vehicle was eventually stopped on Pacifi c Highway (176 Street) just south of the railway overpass.

As Pierlet approached the vehicle containing two occupants, he was shot and killed. Both the driver and passenger were later identifi ed, charged, and convicted of his murder.

Both individuals received a life sentence.The shooter – John Harvey Miller – was

originally sentenced to hang, but his

conviction was changed to life in prison when Canada abolished the death penalty.

The railway bridge where Pierlet was killed has been given the name of the “Pierlet Overpass” in memory of this member.

Third member killed while working at Surrey detachment was Const. John Draginda.

On Sept. 29, 1974, Draginda was on general duty at Surrey detachment, riding with an auxiliary constable. Responding to

a report of a motor vehicle accident, they were involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of 152 Street and 96 Avenue. Draginda and two people in the other vehicle were killed.

The fourth Surrey member killed was Const. John Baldwinson.

On Oct. 28, 1975, Baldwinson was on the General Investigation Section and driving back to the detachment. It was late at night, with poor visibility and Baldwinson had just passed another police vehicle on Pacifi c Highway #15 when he collided with a horse on the roadway. Baldwinson died as a result.

Wall of honour

In 2005, members and employees of Surrey detachment began a campaign to raise funds to design and implement a dedication Wall of Honour for the four fallen members. This Wall of Honour was unveiled on Oct. 26, 2006 at the main detachment building.

A complete list of all the RCMP members who have been killed on duty can be found at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/hon/lineduty-exerfonc/honour-honneur-roll-tableau-eng.htm.

In addition, the National RCMP Gravesite database (www.rcmpgraves.com/) contains details of RCMP members who have passed away. These details include when they joined, rank achieved, dates of birth and death, and details of their service.


Mounties’ lives on the line Four Surrey RCMP members have been killed on duty

PHOTO COURTESY BILL McCHEYNE

Surrey mounties who have died in the line of duty (from left) Const. Archille Lepine, Const. Roger Emile Pierlet, Const. John Terrance Draginda and Const. John Baldwinson.

EVAN SEAL PHOTO

The wall of honour at Surrey’s main RCMP detachment pays respect to the four fallen members who died serving the public.

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by Sheldon Boles

In the early days of the RCMP taking over policing of Surrey, members of the detachment were actively involved in

various community activities involving the youth.

Members focused on being a good role

model for the kids in the communities that they serviced.

For example, Constables Len Harrington and Ted Ciunyk assisted in the initial for-mation of the Surrey Rams football team. Their experiences of sports activities and teamwork were passed to the youth of Surrey.

1946 – Constables Len Harrington and Ted Ciunyk with some of the originalmembers of the Surrey Rams football team.

Having a ballSurrey Mounties always active in the community

ThankYou

for 60 Years of protecting our community

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