Bob Harriman

Divisions Served: “F,” “N,” “K,” “E,” “Depot”

Medals and Honours: Queens Jubilee Silver Medal, Long Service Medal, Queens Jubilee Gold Medal, Officer’s Commendation

Brick Location: Coming Soon

Story: 

My journey began October 10th, 1974 in Ottawa where I was sworn in to the RCMP and like all other young recruits headed to Regina. Unfortunately for me I arrived 7 days prior to the rest of the lads who would eventually form Troop 22. My first uniform was a pair of ‘issue’ RCMP coveralls to work in dismal conditions decommissioning an outdoor shooting range along with several others who had arrived prior to their troops forming up. My first duties consisted of a pick and shovel to pull apart railway ties that were used for stopping thousands of bullets fired from the RCMP 38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolvers, which didn’t exactly meeting my dreams of “Life in the Mounties.” Troop 22 formed, and training started late October with our graduation for our troop on April 1st, 1975 (no fooling).

Towards the end of training, I submitted my transfer requests asking for PEI, Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick as my Dad grew up down east and we spent a lot of summers in New Brunswick and PEI. One month later I was off to Municipal duties at Humboldt Saskatchewan a short 2-hour drive north of Regina. To this day it was by far the best thing that happened to me.  As a junior member, I worked mostly evening and midnight shifts patrolling a town of 5000 people which allowed me to ease into my new policing duties, but the midnight shifts in the winter were often mundane. Fortunately, I took this time to read voluminous ‘Operational Manuals’ to be ready for the next call for a major crime…. However, there weren’t any major crimes…

Humboldt remains special because I met my amazing wife, Janine Koski and her family who showed me what western hospitality and amazing foods were really like.

In 1977 after two years in Humboldt I was sent to Ottawa for a three-month equitation training course and qualified for the RCMP Musical Ride. I learned quickly that riding with the RCMP ride was grueling to achieve riding perfection for 1977/78 tour.  We toured Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England, and escorted Queen Elizabeth from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abby for her Diamond Jubilee parade. In Red Serge on a beautiful black horse, escorting the Queen in front of thousands of people through the streets of London was quite a leap from digging out spent bullets in coveralls.

I could not leave the love of my life behind and I am very proud to say Janine and I were married in Humboldt in November of 1977 and lived in Ottawa while I finished my tour with the ride.

Janine and I traveled across Canada once again to Red Deer in August of 1978 where my exposure to fast paced and involved policing began. Street crime, organized crime and biker gangs were now part of my work and I appreciated the experiences of running with amazing police officers and civilians dedicated to keeping the streets of Red Deer safe.

I was promoted to Corporal and transferred to Fort McMurray in 1981, as a Forensic Identification member.  Lots of crime scene examinations all over Northeast Alberta, with helicopter and float plane flights into remote communities to help with homicides or searching out wanted persons. Dropped off for days to work with remote communities to help with very difficult circumstances, often flying home with a prisoner squeezed into a float plane.

Our daughters Cari and Suzie were born in Fort McMurray, and in 1984, we were back in Saskatchewan at Swift Current where our son Patrick was born. Transferred to Carlyle then back to Swift Current for another two years.

I was Commissioned in 1998 moving to Chilliwack as the District Operational Officer where we made the Lower Mainland our new home.

From 2003 to 2008, I was responsible for planning the security for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games. I served my last three years as “E” Division Federal Criminal Operations Officer. I retired January 10, 2011, serving 36 years in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

I got to travel the world and shared many great experiences with my incredible family along the way.  An amazing wife, three great kids, and four Grandkids now make retirement a dream come true.  A heartfelt “Thank You” to all the magnificent folks who helped me live, learn and stay safe along the way.

I guess reading RCMP Operational Manuals on midnight shift in Humboldt, so long ago, paid off…. “What a Ride.”