A10
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 | Sasktoday.ca | Yorkton This Week
just for
SENIORS Our Monthly Feature
...For Seniors and about Seniors
Retired RCMP officer reflects on 40-year career By Tyson Off Staff Writer YORKTON – Being a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police can be a tough job, but for some, it’s the opportunity to have an impact in a community that makes for a rewarding career. Local retired RCMP, Pat Rawlick—who spent 40 years serving the province of Saskatchewan as a member of the RCMP from 1968 until 2008— said his journey through the ranks was “extremely rewarding”. Rawlick, who is originally from Winnipeg Man., said he was still a child when he decided he wanted to join the force. “I was probably ten years old, and there’s a resort north of Winnipeg called Winnipeg Beach – we would drive into Winnipeg Beach and go for lunch and I remember one day walking with my Dad and Mom on the main street in Winnipeg Beach and there were two RCMP coming towards us—honestly they looked like they were ten feet tall—they wore boots and breeches and they had their Stetsons on and their Sam Browns on, which is the holsters,” said Rawlick in an interview with Yorkton This Week. “When people saw them, they went to the edges of the sidewalk or closer to the building to let these two RCMP go through,” said Rawlick, adding, “since that day—I don’t know what it was—
but I always wanted to be a member of the RCMP.” “It was branded in my mind and in my heart that that’s the occupation that I wanted.” Rawlick’s childhood dream would materialize on Jan. 2, 1968, when he would take the train from Winnipeg to Regina to attend training for the RCMP. “I had been sworn in before Jan. 1 in Winnipeg on Main St. and on Jan. 2 my mother and my Dad and my sister and friends took me to the train.” Rawlick said he started training at the RCMP Depot in Regina, but finished his in Alta. “In my time there was a lot of members applying for the force and depot was really full, so to accommodate more policemen they would transfer every second troop to Penhold, Alta. – we stayed at an old military base and we finished our second part of training there.” After completing training, Rawlick returned to Regina to begin working for the RCMP. In the months and years to follow, the new recruit would find himself stationed in several different Sask. communities. “After I had graduated from Penhold Alta. I was transferred back to Regina Town Station – I got into barracks on the fifth floor and that’s where we lived and worked out of,” said Rawlick, noting he was only in Regina for a few months before being
Flu Season is here.
Call the pharmacy or visit our website to book your flu shot today. 17 - 259 Hamilton Rd 306-782-2000 medicineshoppeyorkton.com
Pat Rawlick, pictured here with wife Laverne, worked as an RCMP officer in over ten Sask. communites from 1968 - 2008. transferred to Estevan and then to Kindersley several months later. “In those days it was really easy to transfer members because we were all single – you weren’t allowed to get married for five years— and it was cheap—[the RCMP] had no families to move.” After working in Kindersley, Rawlick was transferred to Saskatoon Highway Patrol where he spent a year on the job before being transferred to Rosetown to work Highway Patrol. In 1973 Rawlick was transferred from Rosetown to Moosomin where he spent another year on the force. “I was probably in Moosomin a year plus – from Moosomin I got transferred to Morse,” a town near Swift Current. Rawlick was only in Morse for three months when he got transferred to Big River, the town where he would meet and marry his wife Laverne. After getting married and another transfer— this time to Lumsden— Rawlick was able to set-
tle in to a community for a time. “I think I was in Lumsden for six years and that’s where my three kids were raised,” said Rawlick. It wasn’t the last time Rawlick would transfer as he was eventually promoted and sent to Punnichy where he worked for three years. Another transfer put Rawlick in Kyle, where he worked as the Detachment Commander for five years. “From Kyle I got promoted to Sargeant at Carrot River and I was there for a number of years and then from Carrot River I got promoted again to Staff Sargeant,” said Rawlick. In 1995, after a marriage, three kids and 13 transfers, Rawlick would find himself in the city he now resides in; Yorkton. “My position here was an Area Supervisor – I supervised all the detachments around here,” said Rawlick of his duties with the Yorkton RCMP. Rawlick retired from the RCMP in 2008 and said the career was “extremely rewarding,” noting he received several awards and accolades during his time spent with the force. “I’ve got my long service medal which is gold, representing 35 years, I’ve got a Queen’s
Rawlick was recognized for his service through the Royal Canadian Legion’s Banner Program. Jubilee Medal, I’ve got a Protective Services Medal and I’ve got a Saskatchewan Medal.” “I’m very proud of those. I think in my time I can honestly say that I felt an obligation to the people of Saskatchewan to ensure—to the best of my abilities—safe roads, safe homes and safe communities. As long as you were fully committed, that was the goal.” Though some would find the myriad of transfers difficult to endure, Rawlick said it was just part of the job. “In those days you did what your boss told you – you took orders, you obeyed orders and you made the best of things,” said Rawlick, adding, “I never knew where Morse was or where Big River was—I’d never been through those places— but when he told me I was going I found out where they were and I went—and you know what—I totally enjoyed all those places.” It was important for Rawlick to immerse himself in the communities he lived and worked in to maintain long-lasting friendships. “The RCMP—in my time – and I certainly believe still now—wants community involvement,” said Rawlick. “Others lived different lifestyles than me
Did you know? Your Pharmacist can write you a prescription for a variety of minor ailments.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
SENIORS SAVE 25% on
Regular priced (white price tag) Tablets and Capsules
#16-385 Broadway Street East Linden Square Mall, YORKTON
Ask us about your treatment options. Open 7 days a week
PARKLAND MALL 277 BROADWAY ST. E., UNIT 33
306-783-9796 Your health. Made easier.™ Professional fees may apply.
– I remember being stationed in Rosetown and there was a Sargeant there and he was probably the first gentleman to tell me ‘get involved in the communities —don’t think that you’re special and just hang around with the RCMP members—get to know people in the community.’” “That was extremely important—I was young in my service but he was right—if you’re not involved in your community, it’s a long damn ride to sit in some little detachment with no friends.” Having lived in so many communities over the years, Rawlick said he made many long-lasting friendships by having a presence in the community at anywhere from the local coffee shops to sporting events. “Every place that I’ve lived as a married man I have civilian friends there right now—I could go to Carrot River and I could stay with a number of people—Kyle is the same way.” “When you took your family into a community—if you wanted to really enjoy that community you had to take ownership—Lumsden was my community and we did everything in that community.”
“You make friends because you want to be a part of their community and that’s what Laverne and I did.” Rawlick credits his wife Laverne for the support she showed him throughout his time with the RCMP. “I can tell you one person—that really has kept me focused and supported me in every way—is my wife. There were times you’d come home and you’d had a bad day and you talked to your wife and she would console you. There were times when you were getting transferred and say, ‘God, I’m not sure I want to take the family and move at this time of the year – ‘it’s okay, we’ll work it out,’ she would Continued on Page A11