Barry Lane Hurrie

Divisions Served: “

Medals & Honours: Long Service Medal, CO’s Commendation

Pillar Location: Pillar VII, Row 24, Column B

Story: 

Barry Lane Hurrie grew up in Manitoba and after graduating from high school in Selkirk, he worked in Winnipeg as a shipper/receiver with a candy company then as a labourer with CP Rail. I was inspired to become a Mountie when at an age of around fourteen, I saw a photo of an uncle dressed in the red serge uniform; that photo seared in my mind forever. I applied to the Force right after high school and had been rejected however I pursued my dream through “stepping stones” serving in the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police in Comox, BC, then a Constable with the CP Rail Police in Calgary and then as a Constable with the Medicine Hat Police Service all totalling five years. I completed several criminal justice type courses as I felt further education was necessary to progress my law enforcement career. I had occasion to collaborate with members of the RCMP while I was serving in the Medicine Hat Police Service. I was often struck by their leadership, confidence and professionalism. One evening a very large group of combatants were brawling on a Medicine Hat street and reinforcements were summonsed to assist us. Only two RCMP members arrived to help. Citizens interviewed by me suggested that once the yellow stripes arrived, everyone fled! That prompted me to re-apply to the RCMP as I realized the great respect citizens had for the Force. I was fast tracked into the Force, was sworn in by an Inspector in Lethbridge and in a few days, drove to Regina to commence basic training.
Upon graduation at Depot, I was transferred to Powell River Detachment. I worked in general duty for the first two years then to plain clothes in the two member GIS Section where I remained for the following three years. In May, 1982 I was seconded to a task force out of Parksville Detachment to investigate the bombing of a large BC Hydro substation nearby. Although I was told to pack for two weeks, I spent four months on this task force. Many months later, the “Squamish Five” were arrested for murder and a number of terrorist attacks including the BC Hydro bombing near Parksville. In the early 1980’s, the RCMP had a program called HPD (High Potential Development) where I was placed. This was a program where members were identified possessing certain work ethics, were high achievers and who likely would succeed into future higher management. HPD members would be offered new challenges and experiences every two years. Shortly after my return to Powell River Detachment, I was transferred to a unique, specialized plain clothes opportunity as an investigator in a four member Log Theft Unit at “E” Division HQ. I conducted numerous forest crime type investigations throughout BC such as theft of standing timber, thefts of logs from BC waterways and log sorting grounds and thefts of large machinery. Two years later, I was transferred to “E” Division HQ General Investigation Section where I conducted a huge variety of investigations and even served in red serge in Citizenship Court. In 1985, I became the “E” Division coordinator and an investigator on the Paperbag/Blindfold rapist case task force out of Burnaby Detachment. The accused, a master of disguise, was linked to over two hundred lower mainland area sexual assaults of children and adult women. Once the accused was captured, my role switched to working with two special prosecutors in preparation of seventy-five “good” charges that I laid. I was awarded a Commanding Officer’s Commendation for my participation in this notable case. As education was very important to me, I applied for and was accepted into a one year, non-degree university full time training program which I successfully completed at the University of BC. My transfer from university training was to Richmond Detachment where I initially served in uniform general duties. I became a recruit trainer for two recruits. After about a year, I was “handpicked” by the OIC as a Crime Reader Analyst; a position where I reviewed cases for quality ensuring that members documented their investigations in compliance with policy and directives and where there were shortcomings, I would send the file back for further investigation and/or documentation. In the summer of 1990, while at Richmond Detachment, I was promoted to the rank of Corporal and commenced my new position at “E” Division HQ in the Discipline and Security Unit. My primary job was the “E” Division Physical Security Coordinator where I worked closely with the Security Systems and Security Engineering Sections. As the coordinator, I was responsible for the security budget and for compliance of the Federal Government Security Policy for all RCMP buildings and properties in “E” Division. I chaired a team of security experts to achieve the mandated objectives. I also reviewed internal investigations and created correspondence and appropriate disciplinary action for the “E” Division Commanding Officer’s consideration. My training in Ottawa as a Federal Security Analyst and my new association with security experts both in the RCMP and in the private sector facilitated an unexpected path in the security industry many years later. I studied for and achieved a world-wide accreditation as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) in 1992. In 1992 I accepted a brand new position as the Executive Assistant to the “E” Division Administration & Personnel Officer (APO). This new position afforded me valuable, immeasurable experience in all aspects of the Force’s administration, a position where I thrived. I served the APO, a Chief Superintendent executive officer by preparing correspondence for his signature. I scrutinized all correspondence destined for his consideration and signature that originated from Sections/Units under his command such as Staffing & Personnel, Discipline & Security, Grievances, Contracts and Management, Public Service Employee Unit, Internal Investigations, Pay and Compensation to name a few. I remained in this position until the summer of 1995. While serving at “E” Division HQ, I was a gas man and first aid attendant in the “E” Division Tactical Troop where we were called to a number of civil disobedience situations including such memorable events in Yellowknife for the Giant Mines strike and bombing in 1992 and the Stanley Cup Riot in Vancouver in 1994. I was a recipient of a “Citation” from the Chief of the Vancouver City Police for my role in the Tactical Troop during the riot. In addition to my regular duties, I provided many VIP Protection and motorcade duties for visits/summits by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, US Vice President Bush, US President Clinton, Russian President Yeltsin, Pope John Paul 11, Prince Charles and Lady Diana and Prince Andrew to name a few. I also provided close protection for BC Premier Bill Vander Zalm. In 1995, I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became the Ucluelet Detachment Commander, a position I held for two years. I retired in 1997with twenty years of service in the RCMP but twenty-five total years in law enforcement. I received the RCMP Long Service Medal. I am also the recipient of a Certificate of Recognition and of the first minted RCMP GRC “E” Division challenge coin for “recognition of exceptional service.” The private security sector had canvassed me with opportunities since I possessed and maintained a professional security designation (CPP) and had current law enforcement experience. I became the Regional Manager of a large security guard company based out of Nanaimo then I opened a new armoured car company as the Regional Manager. In 2001 I was employed as the Vancouver Island Regional Investigator and Security Consultant for BC Hydro where I remain at this time of submission (May, 2020). Building on continual education, I studied for and achieved two more world-wide certifications besides the CPP; Physical Security Professional (PSP) and Professional Certified Investigator (PCI). Volunteering and utilizing my security and law enforcement background, I was Chair of Security for the Nanaimo BC Summer Games, Chair of Security for the Nanaimo BC Disability Games and Director of Security for the Nanaimo BC Seniors Games. I have served as a member of the Nanaimo Corrections Advisory Committee. Looking back, I set out with a dream to become a Mountie influenced by a photo of an uncle in the Force dressed in red serge. That uncle I finally met was stationed at Coquitlam Detachment as a Sergeant. Although my application to the Force was initially rejected, I continued pursuing my dream by gaining life experience, developing a good work ethic and gaining law enforcement experience that supported a successful application. I consider myself very fortunate and eternally grateful having been given so many opportunities to accelerate in numerous capacities. I have had such an enriching, full career in the Force both operationally and administratively with new, refreshing challenges roughly every two years. The rewards of serving Canada in the RCMP are immeasurable. Discipline, responsibility, dedication, loyalty, comradery, respect, bearing, opportunity and life style to name a few of the rewards. Having been retired from the RCMP for some 22 years, and now at the age of 68 (2020), I am often reminded of my military-type bearing and presence by friends, family and others, a testament to my development while in the Force. This is very important and meaningful to me as I hoped to imprint some of these attributes to those surrounding me, especially children. Although there were many sacrifices, my wife of 35 years, children and in-laws all have been very supportive with my career in the RCMP. The RCMP family is my extended family; a family I am proud to be a member of.