Linda Hersey - Life on the Edge. The Inside Story of the RCMP in Atlantic Canada

Life on the Edge

The Inside Story
of the RCMP
in Atlantic Canada

LINDA HERSEY

GENERAL STORE PUBLISHING HOUSE INC.

499 OBrien Road, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada K7V 3Z3

Telephone 1.613.599.2064 or 1.800.465.6072

http://www.gsph.com

ISBN 978-1-77123-067-4

Copyright Linda Hersey 2014

Cover art, design: Magdalene Carson

Printed by Image Digital Printing Ltd.

dba The IDP Group, Renfrew, Ontario

Printed and bound in Canada

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from Access Copyright (Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency), One Yonge Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1E5.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Hersey, Linda, 1951-, author

Life on the edge : the inside story of the RCMP in Atlantic Canada / Linda Hersey.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-1-77123-067-4 (pbk.).--ISBN 978-1-77123-154-1 (epub).-- ISBN 978-1-77123-155-8 (mobi).-- ISBN 978-1-77123-156-5 (pdf)

1. Royal Canadian Mounted Police--Atlantic Provinces.

2. Police-- Atlantic Provinces. I. Title.

HV8158.7.R69H47 2014 363.209715 C2013-908173-9

C2013-908174-7

Contents

MLA Wayne Steeves

Remarks

MLA Wayne Steeves of Lower Coverdale served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in the Bernard Lord cabinet from 2003 to 2006 and was re-elected for his fourth term as Conservative MLA for Albert County in September 2010.

Chief among his duties was his routine interaction with New Brunswicks various law enforcement agencies. That, of course, included the RCMP, often on a daily basis. He recalls above all else the professionalism he experienced with the Mounted Police: Any time I needed any answers, they were always just a phone call away. Their co-operation was unlimited.

My term as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General was very rewarding and basically it was rewarding because I had the opportunity to work with professionals such as the [J Division] commanding officers Tim Quigley [1999-2003] and Stephen Graham [2004-08].

Preface

The RCMP is part of the Canadian experience, and becoming a Mountie remains the dream of countless Canadians. For those who succeed, the coveted red serge photo is displayed by their proud families in homes across the nation. I know I saw plenty of those graduation portraits as a freelance reporter. If there was a family member in the Force, that celebrated photo was pointed out to me.

Of course theres much more to the Mounted Police than their ceremonial red serge, and I thought it would be interesting as a freelancer to take a closer look. So I began reporting on ride-alongs and writing other related stories, and found the RCMP to be congenial hosts. Then a much larger idea began to take root. Since those newspaper stories were so well received, why not a book...

First an idea, and then the forward march to make it happen. After much planning and consideration and necessary downsizing, I decided that I would first start at home with a thumbnail sketch of the Atlantic Region. I must point out, too, that if a particular section, team, or job is not included in this book, its not because it isnt as important and relevant as the ones that are included, there just simply wasnt room for everything this time.

The RCMP is indeed a living document, and change is both inevitable and ongoing within this massive organization. This book is a snapshot in time, my look at the Mounted Police beginning in 1992 and concluding in 2010. Researching and writing it was exhilarating and unforgettable, and Im delighted to share this rare insight into the everyday workings of the Force exactly as I experienced it.

There were many people during the course of this project who helped me bring it to fruition. It began with the enthusiastic co-operation of then C/Supt. Roy Berlinquette, commanding officer of J Division, and Dr. Bill Beahan, who was at that time RCMP officer in charge, Strategic Partnerships and Heritage at RCMP National Headquarters in Ottawa. Both supported my idea to write this type of book about the RCMP, and it would not have been possible without them.

Once in the field, the project quickly took shape with all those who gave of their on-the-job time to speak with me about their work in the RCMP and I thank them.

Certainly there were others who gave generously of their personal time to help make this book a reality, and head and shoulders among those was retired RCMP Sergeant Major Bob Gallup who patiently read copy, answered any number of questions, and helped me in any way that he could to provide me with information and support. Thank you, Bob.

Four senior communications strategists / advisors in the Atlantic Region, Sherry MacDougall of PEIs L Division; Paula SibleyFox of Nova Scotias H Division; Paul Greene of New Brunswicks J Division; and Helen ClearyEscott of Newfoundland and Labradors B Division were extremely helpful in many ways including providing me with regular and civilian members and public service employees to feature in this book and orchestrating the necessary interviews. I am grateful for their assistance as well as that of Sergeant Patricia (Pat) Flood, Federal Policing, Public Engagement, RCMP National Headquarters in Ottawa, for helping me keep this project on track.

I am grateful to Tim Gordon and the very capable staff at General Store Publishing House Inc. for their outstanding professional guidance including my editor, Jane Karchmar, whose significant expertise helped a great deal in bringing this long-held dream to realization.

Also, I thank my family and friends who always believe in me.

And last, but always first, I would like to thank Michael Smith for his ongoing love and support.

In the Beginning

It was a bone-chilling February evening in 1992 the kind of night where your breath becomes icy vapour and your boots squeak on snow as hard as cement. I wasnt sure what the evening would bring, but I was armed with a camera, tape recorder, pencils, a fresh notebook, and a five-dollar bill tucked in the pocket of my ski jacket in case we stopped for coffee. What else would a freelance reporter bring along for her very first RCMP ride-along?

Nine hours later, Id seen plenty, but Id only begun to whet my appetite. Because of a lifelong fascination with the Force, I wanted to learn more about this multi-faceted organization, to explore firsthand at least one of Canadas two national dreams to either become a Mountie or play in the NHL. The RCMP is definitely more accessible.

One of the most unique police agencies in the world, the RCMP is a Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety Canada an integral part of Canadas public safety portfolio across three levels of jurisdiction. Organized under the authority of the RCMP Act, it has the power to enforce, throughout Canada, those laws made by or under the authority of the Canadian Parliament. So, as well as being a federal force, its also contracted for both provincial and municipal policing where municipal bylaws or provincial legislation also come into play. The bottom line is costing when contracts for policing services are signed.