My Dad graduated from the RCMP training depot in Regina in 1972.
He spent the next 30 years as a proud member of the RCMP in B.C., working in North Vancouver, McBride, Fort St. John, Vancouver, Abbotsford and Langley.
While he’d been in Regina many times since 1972, he never made it back to depot. Until last week.
As part of my folks’ recently-concluded visit to Saskatchewan, dad wanted to visit the training depot and the RCMP Heritage Centre Museum. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some construction at the site, we couldn’t see and do everything. But we were able to see a lot.
If you haven’t been to the heritage museum, it’s well worth a visit. There are a number of exhibits for the public to see, including one on the March West of the North West Mounted Police, which, of course, has strong connections to the southeast region.
You’ll also find information on the RCMP’s interactions with Indigenous people, their experiences in northern Canada, a history of the renowned RCMP Musical Ride, a look at how the force has changed and a number of historical displays and artifacts. Kids (and adults) will enjoy the simulators. And you can even learn how the RCMP uses forensics to solve a serious crime.
The museum celebrates the history of the RCMP, but it doesn’t whitewash it. There are recaps of some of the sadder chapters of the RCMP’s history, allowing the viewer to learn different sides of the story.
Be forewarned: the Heritage Centre is not something you want to try to do in an hour. Give yourself a few hours.
We also found dad’s spot on the Pillars of the Force plaques that were a fundraiser. It had his name and the year he graduated from depot. I found it to be fitting that my best friend’s father, who graduated from depot a couple of years before dad, is on a neighbouring pillar. (Yes, it was a total fluke that I found that one).
It was also cool to hear dad share his stories and his memories of his time at the RCMP, including how he was tasked with polishing the wings of a large, outdoor metal plane when he first arrived.
We should be proud that RCMP depot remains in Regina. It has brought scores of young men and women to this province to gain the skills required to serve with the RCMP. In many cases, depot has represented the first time they have been in Saskatchewan; for some, it will be their only time in Saskatchewan.
And whether some people want to hear this or not, for many outside of Canada, the RCMP is the first thing they think of when it comes to our country.
They are not only our national police force, they are a proud Canadian institution, a positive image of Canada for millions of people around the world.
Does the RCMP have a perfect history? Of course not. No law enforcement agency, or any other institution for that matter, has that flawless past. There have been tragic occurrences, many of which the RCMP has been at fault.
But the good far outweighs the bad, and the dedicated officers who are positive representatives of policing in Canada far outnumber the rogue officers.
Many of those excellent officers have their names on the Pillars of the Force. Many more don’t have a plaque on Pillars of the Force, but their family, fellow officers and other friends can vouch for these officers’ contributions.
For most of us, we would feel very comfortable and confident reaching out to the RCMP if needed.
The training depot and the heritage centre would be far from being one of Saskatchewan’s best-kept secrets. Most of us know that it’s there, that there are areas that are accessible to the public, and we can view attractions such as its sunset service during more normal times.
But do we realize that there is so much history preserved within the heritage centre? A lot probably don’t. (Earlier that day, the heritage centre announced the hiring of Tara Robinson as its new CEO, as it transitions to a national museum).
The afternoon spent at depot was certainly time well spent.
I’m glad dad was able to visit again, and that I was able to be there for the first time.
