Dennis Lars Schneider

Divisions Served: “F,” “M”

Medals & Honours: Long Service Medal with Gold Clasp and Stars, Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Elected Member of Yukon Legislature: Whitehorse West Constituency, Appointed Speaker of Yukon Legislature by Members

Brick Location: “B” Block

Story: 

Yvonne and I were born in Flin Flon, Manitoba.  In 1947 I started school in the old one room school at Denare Beach, Saskatchewan.  I was 1 of 2 non-First Nations students.  By 1950 Creighton, Saskatchewan was being developed and a school constructed.  Our family had moved to Flin Flon for my schooling.  The First Nations students were sent to Prince Albert and Duck Lake Saskatchewan residential schools.  

Yvonne and I were high school sweethearts.  We were friends with RCMP Members in Flin Flon who encouraged us in our newly chosen careers.  I knew Amisk (Beaver) Lake from Denare Beach quite well.  As a boy, I had travelled the complete lake with my father, uncles, and family friends.  There are many islands and reefs in the northern and eastern parts, and it was quite easy to get into serious trouble.  As a teenager I was proud and eager to assist a family friend in the RCMP and act as their guide on the lake.  

We left Flin Flon on January 1, 1961 for Winnipeg, where Yvonne entered college and I was sworn into the Force.  I continued on to “N” Division.

After training, I was transferred to “F” Division, arriving in the first part of November 1961.  I was then transferred on to Saskatoon, arriving just in time for cenotaph duty on a stormy and very cold November 11th.

I experienced Saskatoon Detachment, Provost, relief for small detachments, highway patrol, court orderly, in addition to many night patrols between our shifts.

In October 1963 Yvonne and I found time to be married.

By the summer of 1971, Yvonne and I had started our family of two daughters and one son.  We had earned a promotional transfer to a one-man isolated post in southwestern Saskatchewan.  We moved to Climax, a town of 270 people who loved their policeman.  The detachment office and residence was a 1927 brick building, extremely hot in summer and cold in winter.  Cold enough to consume 16 to 18 gallons of fuel heating oil per day.  There was a one bathroom in the building.  The office was a converted bedroom.  Anyone visiting the office requiring a toilet would have to use ours, located beside a hot water register.  Imagine Yvonne’s challenges trying to keep a clean and healthy family bathroom.  On windy days, which were plentiful, rows of sandy dust and/or snow would appear on the floors.  The two bedrooms on the second floor were not insulated so on cold nights the children slept in sleeping bags on the living room floor.

The basement had a cell with a carry-out bucket and no place to dump except the family bathroom.  As was common in those days, there was a fully stocked bomb shelter in a portion of the basement.  The converted coal to fuel oil furnace was a monstrosity.  We often thanked God for our next door neighbour, recognized as the top mechanic in town, for keeping all our equipment running 24/7.

During summer of 1975, we transferred to Prince Albert.  I am a graduate of Northwestern University Accident Investigation Course, Evanston Illinois.  In Prince Albert, I assumed the I/C highway patrol position and Sub. Division traffic coordinator.  During the first four months of each year I regularly assisted with in-service training in Regina for various levels of traffic courses and breathalyzer courses.  Our Fallen Member and friend, Ole Larson, was my welcomed partner for the traffic courses.  This was a few years before Ole was murdered in Climax, Saskatchewan. 

During the summer of 1980 we received a promotional transfer to Uranium City Detachment, a five-person municipal contract and one-person rural, located close to the north shore of Lake Athabasca.  Eldorado Nuclear Uranium Mine, was in full operation, supporting approximately 3500 people.  Living accommodation for Members had been upgraded and was comfortable.  Fishing in the area was excellent.  Eldorado had a Company Store with a good variety of groceries, of which Members were welcome to shop.  The Hudson Bay Company (The Bay) had a large store providing all services from purchasing furs, cashing cheques, groceries, clothing, and expediting.  Schools, K to 12, were good.  Over time, the hospital administrator had learned that Yvonne has a certificate in medical records and had worked in a large Winnipeg hospital.  Yvonne went to work at Uranium City Hospital.

By 1983 the decision had been made to close Eldorado Nuclear Mine which was well underway.  Single story homes were being loaded on barged and shipped to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, to provide affordable housing to Northwest Territory and Alberta residents.  Uranium City Detachment had been reduced to a Cpls. Detachment, and “F” Division was planning my move.  Our eldest daughter was attending college in Saskatoon, and “F” Division was trying to accommodate me.

During summer 1983, I was transferred to I/C Hanley Detachment.  Hanley had a high school to accommodate our two younger children.  By 1984 I had been approached suggesting my experience in Aboriginal policing made me a candidate for “M” or “G” Division.  Yvonne and I consulted, talked with the children, and decided on “M” Division.  Our eldest daughter had graduated as a Lab/X-Ray Tech and was planning marriage in 1985.  Soon after their wedding, daughter and husband, a plumbing apprentice, had accepted jobs in northern Alberta.  By 1985 we knew we would probably be transferring to “M” Division in 1986.

During summer 1986 we all transferred to “M” Division.  I accepted the I/C Crime Prevention/Indigenous Policing position.  The C.O. instructed that his priority for me was to develop a modern Aboriginal Policing Program and I would be attending courses at Canadian Police College.  By 1988 the update program had been approved by HQ and was well underway.  One of the goals was to develop a relationship with Band Chiefs and seek out, with Detachment Commanders, candidates for the Force.  I am proud to say that one of the candidates is now a retired female Deputy Commissioner and another is a retired Assistant Commissioner.  Several other candidates are now deceased, retired NCOs, or Csts. in “M” Division and/or other parts of Canada.

In 1987 Yvonne accepted a position with Yukon Teacher’s Association as Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the President.  This proved to be a great asset to me, “M” Division and Detachment Commanders.  I soon got to know principals and teachers throughout the Yukon.  They were impressed with this goal and allowed my easy access to schools and in all Yukon communities.  During career days, “M” Division and the RCMP were well represented, which I believe helped to overcome any shyness and encouraged new candidates to apply.

In 1989 I accepted a promotional transfer to NCO I/C “M” Division Criminal Operations.  This was a challenging, but rewarding position.

In 1991 I was transferred to “M” Division Section NCO position which also included a member of the Division Executive Committee.  Lots of travel involved as the CO preferred I visit each Detachment quarterly.

On April 10^th 1996 I retired to pension.

During the fall of 1996 I enrolled at UBC in their real estate/sub mortgage broker program.  During summer 1997 I obtained my Yukon Real Estate License and joined the Re/Max Action Realty, Yukon team. 

By all 1999 word got out that I was considering entering politics.  I was invited to volunteer in the Legislative Office with a local political party. 

During spring of 2000, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference was scheduled to be held in Great Britain.  Meetings scheduled for: The Isle of Jersey, London, and Edinburgh.  Yvonne and I were selected to represent Yukon.  We personally were introduced to the Queen and Prince Philip.  Prince Philip knows Yukon and is quite a joker.  Yvonne was selected, with a few other wives, to attend 10 Downing Street and afternoon Tea with Cherie Blair and their new baby.

By 2004 Yvonne and I decided to totally retire.  We started spending 5 months a year in Arizona, U.S.A.  We had to save 1 month for Halibut fishing in Icy Straits, Honnah, Alaska.

My 35-plus-year career in the RCMP was indeed rewarding for Yvonne, me, and our 3 children who all have excellent careers.  My career in the RCMP was an education in itself.  Where else can an 18-year-old boy have so many courses and such a rewarding life?  Yvonne certainly deserved her “Second Man” Award.  Our complete family benefitted from this education.