Ruby D. Burns

Divisions Served: “D,” “K,” “L,” “B,” HQ, “Depot”

Medals and Honours: Long Service Medal with 25, 30, 35 Year Bars, 125th Anniversary of Confederation Canadian Medal, Queen’s Jubilee Medal, Member of the Order of Merit of Police Forces

Pillar Location: Pillar IX, Row 9, Column B

Story: 

Education: 1969-72 – Bachelor of Science, Acadia University, NS, 1996-97 – Certificate in Adult Learning, St. Francis Xavier University, NS and 2003-2005 Master of Arts – Royal Roads University, BC.

After a short teaching career in Nova Scotia (Annapolis Royal Regional Academy for three and a half years), I set off to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia, my adventure with the RCMP took my to many provinces throughout Canada: big and small towns in Western Canada as well as a a few International locations (Australia, UK, Hawaii, Chicago and Spain).

My career was very rewarding and challenging and I look back at it, being in three distinct phases. The first twelve years were in Manitoba where I received my grounding in operational front line policing. From investigating missing people, damaged mailboxes, sexually abused children, family disputes, aeronautics, customs, drug enforcement acts, human rights investigations, VIP duties and the Calgary Olympics, just to name a few.

The next phase was concentrated in the Learning and Development area. This started in Manitoba where I began lecturing on Division training courses. Then I found myself at the RCMP Training Academy (Depot) teaching recruits for three years and then it was on to Ottawa where I started off in the policy Center as the distance Learning coordinator in the Training Directorate, then to the Canadian Police College in the Communications Management Skills Unit as a facilitator and course coordinator .

The last phase of my career was on the management side where I was on the Commissioners Audit Team and then to the newly formed Atlantic Region Audit Section, then I became the Criminal Operations Officer in PEI and finally becoming the Human Resources Officer for the Atlantic Region.

To summarize, my 35 year career was extremely rewarding and challenging. It constantly taught me new skills, introduced me to many wonderful professional colleagues and associates who have become lifelong friends. I would not have changed a thing! 

Retired Chief Superintendent Ruby Burns