FAMOUS POLICE FORCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 276, 4 September 1939, Page 7

FAMOUS POLICE FORCE

HISTORY OF THE “MOUNTIES” The history of the “IMounties,” one of the finest bodies of men in the world, is recounted by -Colonel S’. T. Wood, Commissioner, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in it suppliment to the London “Times.” By an Act of Parliament, passed on May 23 of 1873, authority was given for the formation of a police force not to exceed 300 men for duty in the north-west territories, and in August an Order-in-Couneil authorised recruiting to begin. ■ - - • Such a force had been rendered necessary by the unsettled state of the country west of the- province of Manitoba (with the exception of the province of British Columbia), which was then known as the north-west territories, and which had. beepi purchased from tho Hudson Bay Company only a few years before. There was no civil government in power there, and in consequence laivlnessess had flourished am cl one uprising (broke out in 1869, known as the Red River or First Riel Rebellion, which was put down by Lord Wclselev. The first Commissioner of the NorthWest Mounted Police, as the force wias originally called, was Colonel G. A. French, on loan to Canada from the Royal Artillery, and it was he who in July, 1874, 'and the following months led* the fqrce on its famous march across the prariesto establish law and order, a journey of nearly 2000 miles. This great achievement made possible the next task, the conciliation of the treaties made later with them by the Canadian Government. In 1876, 5000 of Sitting Bull’s Sioux crossed, the border from the United States after their battle with General Ousted 1 , These unwelcome visitors remained in Canada until 1881, offering a real threat to the peace of the north-west, until finally induced to return to their own country. The North-West Mounted Police played a prominent part in persuading them. The construction of the Canadian Pacific railway, the- second Riel Rebellion of 1885, the gradual establishment of posts and detachments throughout the territories, and the gaining of the confidence of the Indians kept the force busy and firmly established it in the north-west. From 1897 onwards the Yukon territory knew and respected it. It appeared in what is now known as the north-west territories and on the shores of Hudson Bay. - The war drew upon the force for many trained officers and men to accompany theumits proceeding oversea, while it continued to keep, order and perform various important services in Canada. Eventually, in 1918. “A” Squadron was sent on active service to France and “B” Squadron, to Siberia. The accomplishments of the R.O.M.P. since the war have lived up to the universal reputation gained in the halfccntury before. From 1922 onwards important detachments were established, and some, of thei force’s most important exploratory 'patrols made in the Eastern Arctic. Its powers woro gradually extended, and at present it enforees federal laws throughout the whole Dominion, the Criminal Code and Provincial Statutes as well in six of the nine provinces, has a, preventive service to prevent smuggling b t v sea, land or air, is the sole Federal force in the Dominion, and the only police-force in the north-west territories and the Yukon territory. The original 360 men have grown to over 2500, and horses have mostly given way to motor-cars and motor-cycles. We now have four aeroplanes, 493 motorcars, 434 dogs and 200 horses. We have also started the nucleus of a reserve force which will probably boi used for the first time during the Royal visit. This we hope to enlarge gradually along the lines of Scotland Yard.