Source-Canadian Encyclopedia, published by Hurtig.
1873: North West Mounted Police
1905: Royal North West Mounted police
1920: Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
‘Originally formed as a temporary, stopgap arrangement to deal with potential problems associated with assumption of control over resources, traditionally enjoyed by the Native population, In late 1890s, the force was involved with the Gold Rush.
In 1917, Saskatchewan and Alberta introduced Prohibition. RNWMP declined to enforce the new legislation and canceled their contract with the two provinces.
In 1918, the Canadian government didn’t know what to do with the force. Two suggestions came up, one to merge it with the army and the second was to reorganize it as a national police force.
In 1919, it was merged with the Dominion Police, a federal force formed in 1868 to guard government buildings.
In 1930s, the force took over the preventive service of the national revenue department.
Since the early 1980s, the security and intelligence function has been separated from the force.
Originally, the force started out as a cavalry unit but the last equestrian class for recruits graduated in 1966, Although they still have their “Musical Ride,” for all practical purposes, the Mounties have ceased to be Mounties,
The first woman was recruited to the force in 1974,
The women do not wear the “traditional” breeches, boots and hats. (Note:-Last month, when several RCMP volunteers went to oversee Namibia’s adjustment to independence, they left their uniforms at home and donned the tropical tan uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces, with blue UN collars and berets, Included were shorts for coping with hot weather. Only a tag on the sleeves and a black web belt with the RCMP brass buckle identified them as Mounties (Saskatoon Star Phoenix Nov. 28, 1989).
Article extracted from this publication >> January 26, 1990
