During the mid 1800s’, Canada was a wild frontier. A continuous stream of settlers and miners flowed into Canada following “Free Land” Promises, and the numerous gold strikes in the Yukon. Constant Struggles with the Native Americans were an everyday occurrence, as well as the rowdy miners causing a ruckus in their tiny mining communities. Law and order in Canada were mere words to its citizens. Something had to be done; however, with no real standing army, and without the means to make one, Canada went down a different path.
According to the Centennial Anniversary Book, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in its earliest years were a group of 200 men given the difficult task of bringing law and order to the whole of Canada. Not only this, but they were also given the duty of keeping good relations with the dozens of Canada’s native tribes, according to the song, “The RCMP Always Chasing After Me” by Rick Stoneback. In many parts of Canada, especially the Yukon, the RCMP officer was the highest authority. Over time, the force grew and so did their reputation. What was once a small group of men trying to bring justice to the wilds, soon became a force to be reckoned with. One that stood for duty, justice and loyalty.
Tales of their exploits soon reached mythical level. Stories of “Mounties” saving entire towns soon gained them the reputation of being “Do Rights”. Popular radio shows such as “The Yukon” and the movie, “Dudley DoRight” reinforced this. Although their reputation is only over-powered by their dedication to service, and their ability to do their jobs better than many others. The RCMP are able to place themselves higher on a pedestal than other police forces because of their lack of jurisdiction restrictions, their superior training, and the tradition of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Most local and national police forces such as the NYPD or the CIA do have some jurisdiction on some specific cases in the United States, whereas the RCMP have automatic authority over any crime scene in Canada or dealing with a Canadian citizen cited from Parliament of Canada Law 81A section 22-3. The Mounted Police, on a couple of occasions, have ventured into the United States to solve cases that happen in Canada and the Criminals try to flee Canada in hopes that the Mounties will not be able to follow. Once specific case from the Niagara Gazette reported a murder in 1982 and the RCMP joining forces with the U.S. Coast Guard from the article, “Mounties Team Up With Coast Guard to Nab Murderer.” Another example is during the 1920’ druing Prohibition in the United States, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a few occasions raided sites just across the boarder that had been distributing illegal Canadian whiskey. Dozens of times the RCMP joined forces with the United States State Department to bring down criminal rings illegally smuggling Canadian whiskey into the United States according to the book, “20th century Mounties”. While the RCMP and the United States have not teamed up recently, the RCMP, because of its status as a national police force, is able to in certain cases have international jurisdiction. The RCMP would not be able to conduct these raids however if it were not for long, unique, and special training periods.
Because of Canada’s unique location, it experiences both extremely hot summers as well as frigid cold winers. Because Mounted Police officers can be stationed anywhere, their training period is broken down into two nine week blocks. One block trains in southern Canada where it is warmer during the spring and summer, and one in the Yukon where it is always cold. This is according to the RCMP website home page at rcmp.com. The RCMP is also required to meet physical requirements that match that of the French Foreign Legion which is one of the hardest in the world as described by the auto biography of RCMP officer Murphy Rhodes. All officers are to be outstanding students as well. All officers must have a college degree with a minor in Native American studies and are required to be fluent in French as well as English also according to the RCMP website. In comparison to most police forces who have easily obtainable physical requirements, shorter training periods, and lower academic standards.
The RCMP’s rigorous training also includes rifle and pistol training. Long known for their excellent marksmen, the RCMP tries to uphold their traditions by being proficient in both contemporary weapons as well as old-fashioned weapons such as the 1870 Winchester lever-action rifle and Colt 1868 .45 caliber single action revolver. This information was taken from the RCMP field guide.
The officers are also highly trained in hand-to-hand combat. Compared to other armies and police forces, the RCMP are among the best according to USA Today’s Article “Top 20 I Would Not Want To Fight” by Philip Morgan.
What makes the RCMP the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the traditions that they uphold even today. The RCMP has always been about selfless service to Canada and all who inhabit it. Trying to build a better life for all of Canada. The values that the “Do Rights” stand for today are the same as the ones that they stood for over a hundred years ago. As previously stated, the RCMP try to uphold their weaponry traditions by being crack shots with the weapons used at their founding. Apart from that is the wearing of their uniform. Unlike most police forces who have many times updated their uniforms, for the most part, the Mounted Police have stayed true to their roots. Like at their founding, the Mounted Police still wear the red uniform of their predecessors. While their uniform has had to be slightly modified for safety reasons, according to the Ottawa Times, modern day “Mounties” are among the few who stay traditional.
There are thousands of police forces from around the world. All with unique abilities that they bring to the table. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, while just one of the thousands, stands out from the rest of the pack. In an age of corruption and endless police violence, the RCMP holds to the values of those who came before them. Being physically, and weaponry superior aside, the RCMP have been able to last throughout the ages, partially because of their mythical status. However, the majority of this comes from their ability to do their jobs, and to do it well. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are one of the better police forces in the world because of their lack of jurisdiction restrictions, their superior training, and the tradition of the Mounted Police.