14 minute read
Camrose Police Service, then and now
By Lori Larsen
Camrose Police Service (CPS) celebrated 65 years of serving and protecting Camrose on July 1. While over those 65 years vast changes have occurred in how policing service is delivered, the underlying mission of CPS– to provide public safety through policing excellence– remains the same.
Currently, CPS is comprised of 62 employees, both sworn and civilian, a long way from what began the force in 1956, when there were six sworn members, including the Chief of Police and no administrative support.
In 1955, Camrose became a city and began future planning, which included its own police force established in 1956, with the first Chief of Police, Howard Martin, who had been with the RCMP for 23 years.
Following Martin came Chief E.V. Christianson; Duff Franklin; Vic Redekopp, who was appointed Acting Chief until the service hired Bill Bradshaw as Chief; Marshall Chalmers; Darrell Kambeitz; Deputy Chief Lee Foreman, who was appointed Acting Chief until Mark Neufeld took over as Chief, leaving the service in 2019.
Currently serving as the eighth Camrose Chief of Police, Dean LaGrange came to Camrose with 26 years of police service with Calgary Police Service, retiring as Inspector, then 18 months with the RCMP in Red Deer, where he held the position of Inspector of Operational Support.
The first sworn members in 1956 consisted of Constables Duff Franklin, Charlie Starcheski, Tom Coultis, Robert Bell and Bob McFeeley.
Today, the Police Service is 30 sworn members strong (including Chief).
On July 1, 1956, at 12:01 a.m., Constable Tom Coultis began the first shift for Camrose Police (now Camrose Police Service).
“When I first started, I came with military background,” said Tom, noting he had joined the army under the pretence of being 16 (he was only 14), and had served 11 years up to the time he joined Camrose Police (20 in total). “Chief Martin knew me and my background, so he pretty much hired me on the spot.”
Training back then for individual police officers took approximately one month to cover criminal, traffic and liquor laws, as well as City bylaws.
Today, a successful candidate with CPS will undergo six months of training with Edmonton or Calgary Police Service, which includes: criminal, provincial and municipal law, arrest and detention procedures, firearms, physical fitness and arrest tactics, officer safety, investigative techniques and court procedures, human behaviour, crime prevention and diversity and inclusiveness. “The rookie officer then hits the street, working an additional 12 months under the watchful eye of a training officer before going out on their own,” explained Cam-
rose Police Service Inspector Rene Brisson.
Although the minimum qualifications state a recruit must have a Grade 12 education to be competitive, most officers have university degrees. This is complemented throughout their careers by “In Service” training that is required for professional growth and knowledge.
In the beginning, Camrose Police purchased one police vehicle, a 1956 Dodge Crusader, for $2,169.34, which was shared by all members.
The current CPS fleet consists of eight marked/ unmarked vehicles for patrol, K9, and traffic.
“The average cost to completely outfit a police vehicle, including decaling, high tech computer systems, emergency sound and light bars, cameras, gauges, CO2 monitors and prisoner systems, is now in the range of $60,000
per unit,” said CPS Chief of Police Dean LaGrange. “Most of these units run day and night, and are cycled out of service between 180,000 and 200,000 km.”
Coultis still proudly dons his first Camrose Police uniform to ride in that restored 1956 Dodge Crusader police car during the Kickin’ County Parade held annually (with the exception of 2020-21 due to COVID).
“We had to wear the complete uniform,” remarked Coultis. “The buttoned-up shirt, tie, trousers and the tunic (overcoat), as well as our forage hat. If we were in the office, it was okay to remove the overcoat.”
While the authoritarian image of the police uniform has remained over the course of history, the uniform and subsequent gear has changed drastically. When CPS was first established, the uniform, albeit militant in style, consisted of the typical attire of buttondown shirt, trousers, tie, forage hat, boots or shoes and a Sam Brown utility belt used to carry the officer’s firearm, handcuffs, flashlight and perhaps utility knife. Times have changed in order to
meet the increasing need for officer safety. The uniform, while still consisting of the basic clothing, now includes bulletproof vests and a duty belt that carries the officer’s handgun and ammunition, handcuffs, flashlight, radios, baton, and handheld protection devices such as pepper spray, taser and Narcan spray dispensers. This often adds up to an additional 15 pounds to the officer’s carrying weight.
In the formative years, the officers were not issued any firearms.
“When I first started, I had to use my own clothes, car and flashlight, and my trusty dog Butch always accompanied me,” noted Coultis. “We were not issued any sidearms until about four months in. I remember they hired these two officers from England who didn’t even know how to use a gun, so I was put in charge of training them. That was quite the experience,” laughed Coultis. As the need increased to ensure officer and public safety, sidearms became a standard piece of equipment. Years ago, firepower was simpler, albeit much heavier, and a lot less reliable. “The .38 revolver was housed in what was referred to as a widowmaker,” noted former Camrose Deputy Chief Lee Foreman, in a previous interview. “All it had was a flap that buttoned down, and that would hold your
revolver that had six rounds in it. Then you would carry another 12 rounds that you would feed in one at a time.”
Now the Glocks have 16 rounds in them and officers carry an extra 30 rounds.
Another integral part of the police uniform is the badge or crest, which identifies it uniquely to the individual service. For Camrose, the badge has undergone three changes in the history of the service to the most recent design change implemented in July 2020.
The first police station was housed in the back of a former church, with City Hall housed in the front, located at the corner of 51 St. & 50 Ave., easy access for police officers to complete their main duties of foot patrol in the downtown area.
The station itself consisted of a Chief’s office, a small open area and two portable cells in comparison to the facility CPS calls home today, which can house ten prisoners, has eight offices, not including a telecommunications centre, a fitness area, bull pen area for patrol officers, area for major crimes, parking garage, 10 cells, a board/interview room, designated space for Victim Services interviews, along with additional space within the City that accommodates forensic identification services and property storage.
Despite the vast difference in size now compared to 1956, CPS is quickly outgrowing the existing building.
Continued on page 18
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
Above: The restored Camrose Police Service Car, a 1956 Dodge Crusader is still used in parades and for ceremonial purposes. Right: The newer vehicles are maxed out with necessary equipment to effectively do the job.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
Tom Coultis, first police constable for Camrose Police, dons the original uniform he wore for duty.
Rural Summer in the Park returns
By Murray Green
Over the past 25 years, up to 450 Camrose County children who live in or near Bawlf, Bittern Lake, Ferintosh, Hay Lakes, Kingman or New Norway have had the opportunity to attend the popular Summer in the Park Program each year.
“This Rural Community Day Camp is free to all participants, is operated by the Rural Community Program of Camrose and District Support Services, and is supported by the Battle River Community Foundation,” explained Clarence Hastings, rural community program director with Camrose and District Support Services.
Children meet in the park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for arts, crafts, games, leadership and activities.
The program begins in Bawlf on July 5 for the week, and then moves to Bittern Lake on July 12, Kingman (July 19 to 23), Ferintosh (Aug. 3 to 6), Hay Lakes (Aug. 9 to 13) and then New Norway follows (Aug. 16 to 20).
For further information, contact Clarence Hastings at 780-672-0141 or by visiting the website www.camrosefcss.ca/ funded-programs/ruralcommunity-programs/ summer-in-the-park to register.
Online Hockey Registration
NOW OPEN
Register before July 31 and your player will be entered into a draw to win the registration fee back for the 2021 / 2022 season! Visit our website at www.camrosehockey.com and click on the Registration tab to fi nd out how to register online using Team Snap. This is available for anyone within the Camrose Minor Hockey boundaries. CMHA will continue to offer a 4-year-old program along with all other age divisions including the U16 AA team. If you are new or moving to Camrose, information can be found on this site. If you are a non-resident player trying out for a AA team, you do not register until you make that team and September registration fees will apply. You must complete the online registration form for tryouts – http://www.camrosehockey.com/form/4192.
You may contact our offi ce at 780-781-6261 or email kings@camrosehockey.com if you have any questions
COACHES WANTED
Coaching applications are now being accepted by CMHA for ALL teams, be it representative or non-representative (house), and for all levels from U5 to U18.
It is an online Application and can be found on our website. Applications for AA and Female teams will be taken until Friday, July 2. http://www.camrosehockey.com/form/456
Dear Valued Patient: After 33 years of serving Camrose and the surrounding area, I am retiring and closing my business. It has been my sincere pleasure to own and operate Community Denture Clinic, and I have enjoyed getting to know each one of my patients over these years. Some of you have been with me since the beginning and have seen my kids grow up. You may have even held them as babies when I started my own practice and operated out of my home. These are some of the memories I will always cherish and hold dear to my heart. If you would like more information, please feel free to call me on the of ce line at 780-672-1470 until July 30th, 2021. After July 30th, I can be reached by email at comdentt@gmail.com. Thank you again for your patronage, and I wish you the very best of blessings! Sincerely, Terrie Luckwell, Denturist. Community Denture Clinic
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Enrich your spirit
• Original Art • Custom Framing • Art Supplies • Prints and Posters • Rocks and Crystals
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Bailey Movie Series
REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
Friday, July 9 • 7 pm Admission: $10 at the door
THE ROAD WARRIOR & FURY ROAD
Saturday, July 17 Showtimes 6 pm and 8:30 pm Admission: $10 at the door
Sounds of Summer
Enjoy free live entertainment at this year’s Downtown Camrose Outdoors Farmers Market. The outdoor market is back, in a new location on Main Street, between 49th & 50th Ave,and the Bailey is facilitating live music entertainment.
MICK DINGO - JULY 1 DAVID UNSWORTH - JULY 8 REBECCA LAPPA - JULY 15 RIVER JACKS (TRIO) - JULY 22 BRIAN DUMONT - JULY 29
The market runs every Thursday from June 10 to Sept 16 from 4-7 pm.
TYPECAST ANONYMOUS “WHERE OR WHEN” FILM PREMIERE
Join the cast and performers as they share their stories about being involved in this film. A unique evening out.
Saturday, July 24 TICKLETS ON SALE SOON
www.baileytheatre.com • 780-672-5510 • boxoffice@baileytheatre.com
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AUTOSHOPPE 780.672.7231
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Grant funds kick off Oktoberstock
By Lori Larsen
Camrose and area residents are in for a heelkicking, barrel-rolling good time during Oktoberstock, a new community event taking place at the Camrose Regional Exhibition (CRE) on Sept. 18.
The event was made possible after the CRE was successful in receiving $70,750 in grant funds from the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) from Government of Alberta.
The grant application was sent to the Government of Alberta in January of this year by the CRE in hopes of launching this new and exciting event.
CRE received funds from the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturism and Status of Women towards the overall project costs.
“We are delighted to have success with our granting program again,” said CRE Board of Directors president Brent Byers.
“As an agricultural society and charity, the importance of these grants from the Government of Alberta is paramount to launch new community events that could not be done otherwise.
“This funding is ‘provisionally awarded’ based on health restrictions in September, but allows us to finally launch what we believe will be Camrose’s new favorite event.”
Oktoberstock is planned for Saturday, September 18, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the outdoor grounds of the CRE, and is building up to be a fun-filled, familyfriendly festival.
“This one-day festival will focus on local artists and a family area during the day,” explained CRE executive director Dianne Kohler. “Then it will transition into a Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration in the evening, ending with a guest DJ.
“We are also looking forward to highlighting as many local food and beverage vendors as we can fit in the space.”
For complete details on the event, visit the CRE website at cre.ab.ca.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster
