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Surrey RCMP S
Black Press
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.
ixty years ago, the City of Surrey was a very different place than it is today. Citizens enjoyed a slower 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 Department, 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 contingent of 18 officers six decades ago, the 641-member Surrey RCMP detachment – Canada’s largest – polices Metro Vancouver’s fastest-growing city by responding to both emergency and non-emergency calls; conducting criminal investigations, intelligence gathering and enforcement operations; and reducing the impact of crime through education and outreach programs. And the efforts of the detachment’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 and commitment 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.
Connection • Commitment • Community
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
2 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to our Surrey RCMP Members on their 60th Anniversary!
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7878 - 120 Street
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NEWTON 604-572-3739
SCOTT ROAD 604-591-3914 canadiantire.ca
WHALLEY 604-583-8473
| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 3
RCMP takes command of Surrey For two days in 1951, a pair of cops policed the entire city by Sheldon Boles
O
n May 1, 1951, the RCMP officially 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 first 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 financially maintaining their own provincial police departments. Since criminal activity was not isolated to a single community, the federal government called for a more unified 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 mediumsized 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. 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 British Columbia dissolved the B.C. Provincial Police (BCPP) and its policing responsibilities were taken over by the RCMP.
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.
• 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 Leader staff photographers Evan Seal and Boaz Joseph.
• Design – Glory Wilkinson. • Editor and layout – Paula Carlson.
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
4 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
PHOTO COURTESY SURREY RCMP
PHOTO COURTESY SURREY RCMP
1952 to 1962 – The first 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.
From laundry business to police barracks Surrey detachment started out at old city hall by Sheldon Boles
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he 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.
Thank you to the Surrey RCMP for 60 years of service to our community.
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.
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the RCMP in Surrey The hard work and commitment of the RCMP has helped make Surrey the strong community it is today. Thank you, from your local MLA Team.
TOM GILL
BOB BOSE
LINDA HEPNER
MARVIN HUNT
Stephanie Cadieux
Phone: Email: Web: Twitter:
604.574.5662 Stephanie.Cadieux.MLA@leg.bc.ca www.stephaniecadieuxmla.bc.ca www.twitter.com/MLACadieux
Kevin Falcon
Phone: Email: Web: Twitter:
604.576.3792 Kevin.Falcon.MLA@leg.bc.ca www.kevinfalconmla.bc.ca www.twitter.com/KevinFalcon
MLA Dave S. Hayer
Phone: Email: Web: Twitter:
604.586.3747 Dave.Hayer.MLA@leg.bc.ca www.davehayermla.bc.ca www.twitter.com/MLAHayer
MLA Surrey–Panorama
MAYOR DIANNE WATTS
MARY MARTIN
BARINDER RASODE
www.surrey.ca
BARBARA STEELE
JUDY VILLENEUVE
MLA Surrey–Cloverdale
MLA Surrey–Tynehead
| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 5
On patrol: Farm fresh eggs a bonus From page 3
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 officers as possible. The RCMP conducted interviews with many of the Surrey Police officers. 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 Officers 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 office in what is now the old city hall in Cloverdale. The office was on the main floor 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 office. Suddenly, he heard the sound of
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
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.
with the first night, he manned the heavy footsteps and the jiggling of radio beside Const. Charlie Thomas. spurs coming up the front steps and When telephone calls came in into the building. for police services, Starek would Upon investigating, he discovered have Thomas radio the patrolling Cpl. Turner accompanied by one members with instructions on how ex-B.C. Provincial Police officer and to get to a specific location. 14 extremely young-looking RCMP Thomas gave the first two members wearing the typical brown members to work in Whalley serge, high brown boots and blue directions on how to get there. breeches. “I told them to drive north on “Well, now that you guys are here, Pacific Highway then turn left on I can go home,” Starek said. Fraser Highway. Once they reached Turner replied: “No you can’t… King George Highway, they were to you have to tell us how to police radio back that they Surrey.” had made it.” It was quickly For the first discovered that few months in none of the “No you can’t (go)... you Surrey, the Whalley members had worked in a have to tell us how to members used the intersection of King municipal policing George Highway environment. police Surrey.” and Fraser Highway Starek suggested that each shift have Cpl. William Turner as their geographical reference point. four police cars According working in Surrey – to member Bill two in Whalley, one McCheyne, “in in Newton, and one the early days of policing Surrey for both Cloverdale and White Rock. we didn’t have any maps. So we At the time, Starek had been in would ask Jim Craig, who seemed the Surrey Police Department for to know where everyone lived. One only nine months and had received of his typical directions was to... no official police training. To assist
drive three miles south on Pacific Highway and the house you want is the brown house on the right.” At the end of the Mounties’ first shift, only three of the four police cars returned to the Cloverdale office. 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 office 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 officers 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.
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
6 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
No riding crop Harleys hit the road Motorcycles cut through fog, gridlock required by Sheldon Boles
Police equipment has changed by Sheldon Boles
I
n 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 flashlight. Handcuffs were not a standard issue. At Surrey detachment, there were six pairs of handcuffs which were kept at the office. 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; flashlight; 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.
W
hen 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 office 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 fire 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. See CRASH / Page 8
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
1950 photo of the original 1948 Harley Davidson used by the Surrey Police Department and later the RCMP.
T C E L -E E R
S Sukh Dhaliwal
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Congratulations Surrey RCMP on your 60th Anniversary
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| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 7
Handling police cars with care In the 1950s, at-fault Mounties in collisions had to pay for repairs by Sheldon Boles
W
hen 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 members 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 traffic section. With these two new units, the detachment commander requested and received three additional vehicles. Most of the police car fleet was serviced at Grisman Automotives, 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 Cloverdale 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 personalissued items. All six sets of handcuffs and leg-irons were kept at the Cloverdale office 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 conducted. If the member was found to be at fault for the accident then they would be obligated to pay for a portion of the damage or replacement cost of the police vehicle.
T
oday, 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 fingertip range of the driver. Surrey detachment has a fleet of more than 250 vehicles, about 150 of which are marked police vehicles of all makes and models.
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
1953 RCMP car used in Cloverdale.
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| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
8 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to the RCMP for its 60 years in Surrey! Did you know that the RCMP formed the first 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 Officer Network. The Royal Canadian Legion is a part of this community, as are the RCMP. P But not being a member of the Legion does not mean that they cannot use our services for claims. They can and they do.
If any RCMP officer 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.
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION 1927 - 2011
1968 –Motorcycle course members are inspected at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
Branch 6, Cloverdale 1756 - 57 Ave, Surreyy 604-574-5300
Crash and conviction From page 6 By 1960, the RCMP had 10 Harley Davidson motorcycles in B.C. Motorcycles were frequently used at the Pattullo Bridge office which was situated at the south end of the bridge. The motorcycle provided a quick means to navigate through blocked traffic and respond to accidents on the bridge. On July 15, 1962, the first RCMP member 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 office. Lepine followed the police car containing his partner and the arrested person. As he rode up Peterson Hill, a delivery 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 recommended the driver of the delivery vehicle be charged and a conviction followed.
| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 9
RCMP members adapt Many Mounties spent their first year bunking at the post office by Sheldon Boles
T
had previously established a flexible constable population. This flexibility was enabled by: • All members had to sign a service contract which was renewed every five years. If a member’s service was less than satisfactory, his term would not be renewed; • Members could only get married after completing five 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 first five 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.
o staff the new Surrey detachment, the RCMP sought out young and mobile young constables. The majority of the original 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 first detachment commander; 14 were RCMP members; one ex-B.C. Provincial Police officer; 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 first 12 months of policing in Surrey, many young single RCMP constables either stayed the old Are you old post office or roomed at enough to a home on Old McLellan Road. Most of the drive? members ate their meals at White’s Restaurant, For the original 18 which was across the members, they usually street from the post came to work two hours office. before their eight-hour From a human In 1951, Paul Starek was the 17th shift started and stayed member to join the Surrey RCMP resource perspective, two hours after their shift the taking over of the ended. On the weekend, B.C. Provincial Police everyone worked. It was not unusual for and the Surrey Police Department created these members to come to work on their some challenges for the RCMP. The key days off to catch up on their investigations advantage that the RCMP had was they and type up their reports.
Original members of the Surrey RCMP were not permitted to drive a police car in B.C. until age 21 – the official driving age in the province. The problem was, the force was hiring new members at the age of 18. PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
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.
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 five years; Female members were admitted; Members are now permitted to return to their home province.
Volunteer support started early RCMP Auxiliary program initiated in 1961 by Sheldon Boles
I
PHOTO COURTESY SHELDON BOLES
1966 – One of the first RCMP Auxiliary training classes. Surrey detachment member Don Ormiston is sixth from the left in the middle row. Ormiston later became a justice of the peace for Surrey.
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 flash 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.
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
10 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
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 Surrey 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 traffic 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 difficulty 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
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SURREY ARCHIVES
1951 – RCMP member performs crosswalk duty at the intersection of 72 Avenue and King George Highway.
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 traffic 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 trafficking 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.
Social, economic and demographic changes are constantly re-shaping Canadian Society and over the past couple of decades the South Asian Community has grown exponentially within Surrey-Delta. In 1985, a group of volunteers came together to meet the needs of this growing community. PICS or the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society now works to make the lives of new and recent immigrants enjoyable and fulÀlling by providing them with positive experiences in Canada. With the growth of the community, PICS has gone through signiÀcant changes in its structure, staff, facilities and programs; now offering various programs and services that are at no cost to participants and also through low cost training opportunities. With funding coming from private, individual organizations, Government, diverse foundations, BC Gaming Branch and United Way of the Lower Mainland among others, PICS now offers several new programs to the South Asian Community. – Commissionaires BC have recently opened an ofÀce within the One Stop Learning Center; this ofÀce allows clients to get their Àngerprints done quicker. This digital Àngerprinting 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%. The IMMPowerBC (SkillsConnect) program helps internationally-trained, skilled and professional newcomers to Ànd suitable jobs/careers in their Àeld. Having served 233 clients this year long, these clients came from 48 different countries. – PICS Assisted Living having had its Àrst residents in February 2007 and now with 54 residents occupying 49 suites at 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 a number of years and the independent housing units cater to about 90 people. In addition, PICS has identiÀed 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 able to 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 opportunities through the programs and services that PICS and the community offers. To support this project please call 604-596-7722. &23<7(. &200(5&,$/ 35,17(56
Congratulations to the RCMP
Unit #205, 12725 - 80th Ave, Surrey
604.596.7722 www.pics.bc.ca
&23<7(. &200(5&,$/ 35,17(56
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Helping Immigrants Through New Programs
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MAKING SURREY
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SURREY CRIME PREVENTION SOCIETY
o t place
Anti-Graffiti • Fatal Vison Citizen’s Crime Watch Patrol North Surrey Community Volunteer Patrol Guildford Community Volunteer Patrol Newton Community Volunteer Patrol Mobile Patrol
Surrey Crime Prevention Society would like to wish the Surrey RCMP a happy 60th!
Volunteers
Welcome!
15 - 12484 82nd Ave. Surrey, BC V3W 3E9 604-502-8555 • www.preventcrime.ca.
| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 11
Rigorous routine Standards high, training tough for recruits by Sheldon Boles
I
n 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 fit; 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 five 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 first 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, first aid, history of the force, and fingerprinting. • 12:30 p.m. was the noon parade where most of the troops would turnout for inspection by the commanding officer; • 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 specific fatigue duties; • 10:30 p.m. – lights out for all recruits. PHOTO COURTESY RIC HALL
See TROOPS / Page 13
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| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
Above: Const. Greta Mortensen is shown at the opening of the Roger Pierlet Overpass in Surrey in1976 (photo courtesy City of Surrey Archives, originally published in The Columbian, May 20, 1976. Below right: 1975 RCMP recruiting leaflet focused on attracting females to the RCMP (courtesy Sheldon Boles).
Women in uniform Female members began joining the ranks of the RCMP in 1974 by Sheldon Boles
S
ince the formation of the RCMP in 1873 and for the next 100 years, the force had been totally comprised of male police officers. 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 first 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 officers 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 first female members arrived at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division training centre in Regina. These first 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
“Think like a man, act like a lady and work like a dog.” Dr. Francis McGill
these first 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.
| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 13
From Stetsons to Sikh turbans Surrey’s Baltej Singh Dhillon changed the face of the force turban – thus his faith – for the RCMP’s standard-issue Stetson. t was a moment he’ll never “I said, ‘No, I would not’,” forget. Dhillon said. With his mother, wife and There were no provisions nor nephew proudly watching, allowances for him to wear his Surrey’s Baltej Sing Dhillon, then turban or beard; policy was strict. 24, was sworn into the Royal Dhillon challenged the Canadian Mounted Police on Aug. regulation – an act that generated 30, 1990. severe criticism, petitions, court More than 20 years later, the challenges and even a death seasoned sergeant remembers the threat. achievement with a subtle smile. In April of 1989, in response ”I was ecstatic, I was to Dhillon’s situation, RCMP overjoyed,” Dhillon said. ”It was commissioner Norman Inkster the first step to having my dream recommended the prohibition LEADER FILE PHOTO achieved. It was a great thing.” against turbans be lifted and Prior to Dhillon, no Sikh recruit Baltej Singh Dhillon uniform requests be evaluated (second from left) stands with with a turban and beard had his comrades in Regina during on a case-by-case basis. ever been welcomed into the On March 15, 1990, Canada’s RCMP graduation day on May prestigious ranks. Solicitor General Pierre 13, 1991. There wasn’t a very strong Cadieux announced that Sikhs (ethnic) representation in the RCMP 20 years ago, in the RCMP were welcome to wear their Dhillon noted. turbans and other religious symbols as part Despite having a criminology education and of their uniform. Surrey RCMP Block Watch volunteer hours under Dhillon went on to become an RCMP his belt – along with speaking English, Malay, officer with the City of Surrey. He was a Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and enough French to get by polygraph examiner for B.C.’s major crime – Dhillon learned his goal of becoming a Mountie section and is now with the provincial wouldn’t be as easy to achieve as he first thought. intelligence centre. During an interview with an RCMP recruiter in “For those of you who didn’t think I’d last a 1989, Dhillon was asked if he would trade in his day, I’m still here,” Dhillon said proudly.
Black Press
I
LEADER FILE PHOTO
This may marks 20 years after Baltej Singh Dhillon’s graduation from RCMP training Depot in Regina. Dhillon is the first turban-wearing Sikh to be welcomed into the ranks.
Troops: Had their marching orders From page 11 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 confined 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
PHOTOS COURTESY RIC HALL
Above: outside gym classes at Depot training centre in the 1950s. At right: Despite the hardships of training, longlasting friendships developed.
of each recruit. In turn, their subsequent work on detachment would never find 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.
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
14 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
Public patched through to police Rotary phones and radios used to alert RCMP in the early days by Sheldon Boles
I
From rotary dial telephones to a state-of-the-art call centre, police communications have come a long way in 60 years.
n 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 office 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 office. If the radio signal was not clear, then the member would stop at the nearest telephone booth to call either the Cloverdale office 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).
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.
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| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 15
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| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
16 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
Quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog Typing skills an asset, 1932 Underwood a crucial tool for early cops by Sheldon Boles
I
n 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 office. 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
Before Surrey detachment had the support of 225 non-police support staff, as it does now, officers in the early years needed nimble fingers to fill out reports. investigational filing 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 office. For outstanding warrants, the detachment would send a list of all wanted individuals to the New Westminster subdivision office 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 specific procedures which had to be followed to ensure consistency throughout the force. Every few years, the officer commanding the New Westminster subdivision would conduct a
Partners in Public Safety Congratulations on 60 years of great community service.
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 specific occasions, handling of prisoners, pay, audits, disciplinary procedures, care and maintenance of police vehicles, etc.
staff to assist in the running of the detachment. Senior officers 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 finishes 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 PRIMEBC database and made available to all members of the detachment, as well as other police agencies throughout British Columbia.
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
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| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 17
Cops and cameras: CSI has changed 60 years ago, police officers spent a lot of time in the darkroom In those early days, the forensic section members took their own photographs, processed the film, 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 film 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 first municipal employee – Doreen Andrews. She first started as a receptionist and later advanced to a darkroom technician.
by Sheldon Boles
P
olice officers in British Columbia have two separate forensic support sections which provide assistance in their criminal investigations: Forensic Identification Section and RCMP Forensic Laboratories. Forensic Identification Section – All municipal police departments and RCMP detachments have their own dedicated Forensic Identification Section. These sections provide first-line support in the location, seizure and identification of “traceevidence” 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 fingerprints; 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, firearm examination, etc.) are required, the seized exhibits are forwarded to the Vancouver Forensic Laboratory. RCMP Forensic Laboratories – In 1937, The RCMP established its first 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 first 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 profiling; Toxicology Services – analysis to determine the cause of death and the level of intoxication by either alcohol or drugs; Firearms and Tool Identification Services – expertise in determining the origin of a bullet, cartridge case or other ammunition from a particular firearm; the make and model of a weapon which fired a seized bullet; the distance the muzzle of a firearm 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, fire debris, clothing and footwear, glass, fibres 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.
74 ‘CSI’ types
PHOTOS COURTESY SURREY RCMP
Above: A member of the RCMP Forensic Identification Services dusts for fingerprints. Below: An officers prepares to send a scanned fingerprint image.
Fingering suspects In the early 1950s, the Surrey detachment didn’t have a dedicated Forensic Identification Section. These services were provided out of the New Westminster sub-division office. This office provided identification 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 Identification Section and it was based out of the first floor of the old city hall building in Cloverdale. The section remained in this office until 1973 and then moved into the new detachment
building in Cloverdale. In those early days, the identification section members would attend crime scenes, take photographs and discover possible suspect fingerprints. These fingerprints would be compared against the fingerprints taken from local criminals. If no fingerprint matches were found then a high-quality photograph of the fingerprints would be forwarded to the RCMP headquarters’ Single Fingerprint Section, which would compare against the national inventory of criminal fingerprints. The Single Fingerprint Section comparison would usually take months to process using this labour-intensive manual method serving the entire country.
The Lower Mainland District’s Integrated Forensic Identification 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 identification assistants, and 10 support staff. The mandate of this section is to provide scientific 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-definition digital video, digital photography, fingerprint scanners, DNA profiling 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 profiling with the collection of hair, clothing fibre, 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 profile 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 Identification Services are undertaking every day.
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
18 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to 60 years of service in our community.
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Congratulations! 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 fleet vehicles stay on the road by insuring the safety of their fleet and personal vehicles. We at Sullivan Motors Ltd. will insure the safety of your fleet 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.
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hen the North-West Mounted Police were first 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 satisfied 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 first case involving dog search evidence. See AWARD-WINNING / Page 19
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| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 19
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Award-winning dog From page 17 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 specifically 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 benefit 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.
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| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
20 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
Noble steeds Since the 1874 March West, horses have been synonymous with the image of the RCMP by Sheldon Boles
D
uring the March West in 1874, 275 officers 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 specific 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.
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 of Sheldon Boles). Bottom photo: RCMP Musical Ride members perform at Surrey’s Olympic Celebration Site in February, 2010 (Boaz Joseph photo).
Hooves to wheels In 1914, the RCMP purchased its first car and was used to escort prisoners. The vehicle was a sevenpassenger MacLauglin. At the time, one of the
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Congratulations g to the RCMP on 60 years of service in Surrey
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commanding officers 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 first public display of horsemanship was first 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.
Congratulations for 60 years of service. Proud to assist the RCMP and the community since 1978.
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| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 21
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.
Mounties’ lives on the line Four Surrey RCMP members have been killed on duty by Sheldon Boles
S
ince the formation of the force in 1873, a total of 222 members have been killed serving their communities 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 first member to be killed was Const. Archille Lepine. On July 15, 1962, Lepine was posted to the Pattullo Bridge office. On this date, he was operating a police Harley Davidson motorcycle. Lepine backed up another member who attended a fight at the Turf Hotel. Once the individual involved in the fight was arrested, the member transported the arrested person back to the Grosvenor Road sub-office. 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 Pacific 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 identified, 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 Pacific Highway #15 when he collided with a horse on the roadway. Baldwinson died as a result.
Wall of honour
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.
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-rolltableau-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.
| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |
22 | SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY
From ORA Uniforms family, just an appreciation for the service of protection provided by the RCMP to keep our 604.543.1949 fax: 604.543.7666 www.orauniforms.ca Unit #115-12414-82nd Avenue • Surrey
communities and families safe and guarded.
PHOTO COURTESY BILL McCHEYNE
Thank You
Clayton Price Smart Foods 18710 Fraser Highway Surrey, BC 604-574-1202 Store Manager Lisa McCreadie
for 60 Years of protecting our community
Cloverdale Crossing Price Smart Foods 17745 64th Ave., Cloverdale, BC 604-575-7164 Store Manager Ray Heroux King George Price Smart Foods 10312 King George Blvd. Surrey, BC 604-930-8773 Store Manager Jim Tennant
Home is where the Heart is.
1946 – Constables Len Harrington and Ted Ciunyk with some of the original members of the Surrey Rams football team.
Having a ball Surrey Mounties always active in the community by Sheldon Boles
I
n 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 formation of the Surrey Rams football team. Their experiences of sports activities and teamwork were passed to the youth of Surrey.
THANK T HANK Y YOU OU RCMP for keeping our streets safe. For our K9 protectors we carry:
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| Wednesday April 27 2011 | Surrey-North Delta Leader |
SURREY RCMP 60th ANNIVERSARY | 23
Extending our Appreciation to the RCMP for their Dedication and Service within our Community
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| Surrey-North Delta Leader | Wednesday April 27 2011 |