Donna Irene Morse

Divisions Served: “E

Medals & Honours: Long Service Medal

Pillar Location: Pillar X, Row 18, Column C

Story: 

Donna Irene Morse (nee Burns) was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 28, 1953. Her father, Robert W. Burns (who had served as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from 1947 – 1949 Regimental #15242) was a Calgary City Police Officer and her mother, a nurse.
On September 16, 1974, Donna was sworn into the RCMP, Regimental # 31800, becoming one of the first of 32 women accepted into the RCMP as regular members of the Force – Troop 17 1974/75.

Troop 17 1974/75 graduated from Depot Division, Regina, on March 3, 1975 and Donna was posted to Port Alberni, British Columbia. It was while attending an autopsy at Port Alberni, where Donna met her future husband, Ronald I. Morse, Regimental # 30980.

Donna and Ron were married on November 22, 1975, becoming the first two RCMP members to be married. This created quite a stir for the Force’s senior management as the RCMP did not have policy in place regarding marriage between two regular members. After all, it had never happened before! Policy in 1975, also, prohibited RCMP officers from living outside the community where they policed and there was, of course, resistance to the idea of a married RCMP couple working at the same detachment.

The Force quickly dealt with the issue and both were transferred to the Lower Mainland in British Columbia. Donna was posted to General Duties, Richmond Detachment, while Ron was transferred to Unit A Freeway Patrol whose offices were in the municipality of Richmond, British Columbia.

Donna worked general uniform duties in Richmond until the summer of 1976 when she was transferred to the General Investigation Section at Richmond. She worked in this plainclothes role until she was transferred in 1977 to E Division Headquarters, Vancouver, becoming the first female RCMP officer posted to a Federal Section in British Columbia. It was during this time that Donna worked with many different federal policing units were a female member could assist with an investigation. Also, during her time in Federal Sections, Donna had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong on a high-profile drug case, becoming the first female member to represent the Force outside of Canada.

In February 1980, Donna returned to uniform duties and was posted to Langley, British Columbia where she served for eight years. In July 1988, Donna was transferred to Surrey Detachment, again, in uniform duties and was promoted to Corporal in July 1989. Upon her promotion, she was transferred to the Grievance Unit at E Division Headquarters serving in that role until August 1992.

Early 1992, Donna requested to be transferred to an operational uniform role somewhere in the Lower Mainland. It is interesting to note that in 1992 there were no female NCO’s serving in uniform operational roles in the Lower Mainland. Staffing Branch Senior Management did not appear supportive in placing a female member in a uniform policing supervisory role, but Donna was persistent in her request and in August 1992 she was transferred to Burnaby Detachment working as a Watch NCO.

On September 16, 1995, Donna retired from the Force having served 21 years.  In 1995, Donna was offered employment with the British Columbia Provincial Government, Liquor Distribution Branch, Investigations Unit. She became the Director of Corporate Security with the Branch in 1999 and fully retired, after a second successful career, in 2014.

Upon retirement in 2014, Donna became involved with the RCMP Veterans’ Association, Vancouver Division, holding the executive positions of Strategic Planner, Vice President, President and Past President. She continues her involvement with the Veterans.

One of Donna’s daughters, Sandra Morse, Regimental # 64386 has followed in her footsteps as a regular member of the RCMP. When in uniform, Donna proudly wears the RCMP Generational Service Insignia pin which represents three direct generations of her family who have served in the RCMP.