By Canadian Press

RCMP at 150: Key events in the evolution of the national police force

May 22, 2023 | 5:02 AM

OTTAWA — A timeline of some key events in the evolution of the RCMP’s structure and responsibilities:

May 3, 1873: Act establishing the North-West Mounted Police introduced by then-prime minister John A. Macdonald.

May 23, 1873: Bill passes unopposed through Parliament and receives royal assent. However, it does not immediately establish NWMP, as it is merely an emergency measure.

Aug. 30, 1873: Order-in-council brings NWMP into existence. 

Oct. 18, 1873: George Arthur French becomes first permanent commissioner. 

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Nov. 3, 1873: First 150 recruits for the NWMP gather at Lower Fort Garry, Man., north of Winnipeg. 

July 8, 1874: March West to what is now Alberta begins at Fort Dufferin in Manitoba.

1876: First public performance of riding skills at Fort Macleod in Alberta. 

1887: Musical Ride first performed at Regina.

June 5, 1895: A NWMP contingent leaves for Yukon, extending presence to northern frontier. 

June 24, 1904: King Edward VII confers title of “Royal” upon North-West Mounted Police.

July 21, 1908: Order-in-council approves fingerprint system. 

Jan. 1, 1917: RNWMP is relieved of provincial policing duties in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with the creation of their own provincial police forces. 

1919: Force’s pan-Arctic presence includes 25 detachments and over 70 men. 

July 14, 1919: Order-in-council increases size of the RNWMP to 2,500 members.

Feb. 1, 1920: The Royal North West Mounted Police becomes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with absorption of the Dominion Police. Headquarters is moved to Ottawa from Regina.

June 1, 1928: RCMP takes over provincial policing duties for Saskatchewan. 

April 1, 1932: RCMP absorbs provincial police organizations for Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. 

April 1, 1932: Patrol boats and personnel are transferred from Department of National Revenue, creating RCMP Marine Section. 

April 1, 1937: RCMP Air Services is created with the purchase of four planes. 

April 1, 1960: Civilian member category created in RCMP for work in crime-detection laboratories and various technical fields. 

1966: Last year of mandatory equestrian training for all recruits. 

June 30, 1967: David Lawrence, RCMP’s first Black member, begins training in Regina. 

March 3, 1975: First all-female troop graduates. 

July 16, 1984: RCMP Security Service ceases to exist with duties taken over by newly formed civilian agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. 

1989: Last female-only troop goes through training. 

Oct. 19, 1989: RCMP contingent sent to Namibia to monitor elections, making the first time the force participated in a United Nations mission. 

1990: Baltej Singh Dhillon becomes first RCMP member to wear a turban during recruit training. 

1992: Women are issued iconic Stetson, boots and breeches for first time. 

Dec. 16, 2006: Beverley Busson becomes interim commissioner, first woman to hold post.

Oct. 5, 2011: New RCMP headquarters opens in Ottawa.

April 16, 2018: Brenda Lucki becomes first permanent female commissioner.

(Sources: RCMP, The Canadian Press)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2023.

The Canadian Press