Troop 17 1974/75
Brick Location: “B” Block
The History Behind Troop 17 74/75 by Donna Morse (nee Burns) Reg 31800
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had been a male dominated icon in Canada since its inception in 1873 (North-West Mounted Police) when it was established to protect law and order in the newly acquired western territories. It took 101 years for Canada’s National Police Force to finally overturn the gender barrier and accept women into its’ ranks as regular members.
On May 23, 1974, RCMP Commissioner, Maurice J. Nadon, announced that the RCMP would accept applications from women as regular members, changing the landscape of the Force forever. On September 16, 1974, just four months after the May announcement, thirty-two women made Canadian history when they were simultaneously sworn in to become the country’s first female troop of Mounties. This simultaneous swearing in was meant to disseminate the pressure of being the “first” onto a group of women rather than an individual. These trailblazing women came from across Canada (except for Prince Edward Island, Yukon and Northwest Territories) and ranged in ages from 19 to 29 years.
This first female troop – Troop 17 (74/75) – commenced training at Depot Division, Regina, Saskatchewan on September 23, 1974. The troop graduated on March 3, 1975 and hence became solidly written into the history books of the RCMP and Canada. It is notable that Troop 17 (74/75) graduated with 30 of the original 32 women enlisted. The two women who left during recruit training went onto other support roles within the RCMP.
It was very evident from the start that there was an abundance of interest and support for Troop 17 (74/75) to succeed and that the RCMP wanted to ensure a positive and successful integration of women into their policing roles. There was change happening and the Force, including the government of the day, had a responsibility to ensure there was ongoing support needed for a successful transition and future of women police officers. After all, Canada, and even the world, were watching on how this transition would come about and be successful.
In order to assist with this change, the RCMP seconded a female Canadian Military Officer, Major Doris Toole, to act as troop advisor to Troop 17. This was the first and only time in the history of the RCMP where an outside adviser was relied on to assist with one of its’ troops. Major Toole’s primary responsibility was to act as a liaison between the women and the Force in monitoring all aspects of their training and to provide much needed advice regarding the uniform these female members were to wear – one which was to be representative of the RCMP and practical for the work they were to undertake. At this crucial time, this was a very good decision made by the Force which showed their commitment to ensuring the success of the women.
Not only was change necessary in the very foundation of the Force, but change was also needed to the building structure at Depot, particularly the Depot dormitory chosen to house the new female Mounties. Troop 17 was placed in a dormitory which had private two cot rooms while the male Mounties-in-training resided in 32-man open dormitories. Urinals had to be removed from the new dormitory washroom with the open shower converted to individual stalls. Two bathtubs were also installed along with hairdryers and laundry facilities.
In the years prior to 1974, a single standard of training had prevailed at Depot. With the arrival of the women, the Force was intent on ensuring that only minor adjustments, if required, would be made to the training program. In the end, the women were trained in the same manner and course content as their male counterparts except for slight modifications that were necessary in the physical training aspect for the women. In the female physical training component, more emphasis was placed on flexibility rather than strength, but like the male recruits, members of Troop 17 (74/75) trained with weights, swimming (which included lifesaving skills), self defence and ground fighting and met all the required firearm qualifications.
The RCMP female uniform was “a work in progress” when the women arrived at Depot in September 1974. RCMP Senior Management was trying to determine what would constitute proper uniforms for their female members. Over the next few months, much discussion took place between members of Troop 17, including Major Toole, into what would be an appropriate uniform for female members to enable them to perform the jobs for which they were being trained. The women of Troop 17 wanted to be accepted as fully capable and performing members of the RCMP and felt strongly that the place to start was to look the part of a trained RCMP officer. Unfortunately, it did take many years for all of this to be accomplished as it wasn’t until 1990 that the “female” uniform was dropped, and all Mounties were issued the same kit and clothing. After 16 years, women would finally don the iconic red serge, Stetson, high brown boots and breeches for which the RCMP is internationally known.
The first uniform the women of Troop 17 wore was “fatigues” while they got accustomed to Depot life. The men’s fatigues were green pants and jackets, but the women were issued navy blue overalls, much like those that a mechanic would wear. The women then progressed to ill-fitting trousers with light weight polyester blouses worn with a short triangular-shaped navy blue tie that was secured via an elastic band placed around the neck under the blouse collar. The polyester blouse and trousers had no pockets and were found to be totally impractical for police work. As well, the original trousers had no belt loops which would have allowed them to wear the Sam Browne patrol belt and holster. Initially, the women were expected to carry a black over the shoulder purse that featured compartments for a firearm, ammunition and a set of handcuffs. (Thankfully, the female uniform pants were modified with belt loops and Sam Browne belts were finally issued before training was completed.) The footwear was black pumps with a one-inch heel and shoelaces which were, also, very impractical for everyday police work. The headgear of the day was a dark blue pillbox cap featuring a patent leather brim, and yellow hat band bearing RCMP cap badge.
There was one element, however, that was unique for Troop 17, something never experienced by any troop before or after – the news media. As stated in “The Long Journey” written by Bonnie Reilly Schmidt, PhD (member of the RCMP from 1977-87) “The RCMP granted the media unprecedented access to the first female Mounties at the academy. Journalists from across the country and around the world interviewed and photographed the women jogging, lifting weights, swimming, marching and learning how to fire revolvers. Several of the women remembered just wanting to fit in with the male recruits, and that it was hard to “feel like everybody else” while under media scrutiny.” Not only would news crews descend on Troop 17 in the midst of training classes but media outlets somehow obtained the direct line phone number to the wall phone situated within Troop 17’s dorm. The phone would constantly be ringing with reporters on the line hoping for an interview with one of the female Mounties.
The Troop felt continuous pressure to prove they deserved to be members of the Force and wanted to succeed in every challenge presented to them. As a result, the women became very close by supporting each other during good and bad times, through ongoing internal and external pressures. This support continued when they were posted to the field and this incredible group of women continue to support each other to this day. Throughout the years, it has been said that Troop 17 (74/75) closeness is extraordinary.
Many of the ladies of Troop 17 had very successful careers within the Force. In fact, a member of Troop 17 (74/75), Beverley Busson (nee MacDonald), became the first female to hold the position of Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from December 16, 2006 to July 16, 2007. Several the women went on to become instructors at Depot Division while many continued in active policing roles throughout their careers. These women blazed the trail for the many women who have followed in their footsteps.
TROOP 17 – 74/75
From Posted To
Cst. D. I. Burns Calgary, Alberta British Columbia
Cst. D. G Courtney St. John’s, Newfoundland New Brunswick
Cst. J. E. Giergon Toronto, Ontario Manitoba
Cst. B. A. Glassman Edmonton, Alberta Alberta
Cst. J. L. Graham Raymore, Saskatchewan Alberta
Cst. B. K. Hosker Fort St. John, British Columbia British Columbia
Cst. C. L. Joyce Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Alberta
Cst. T. G. Kivissoo Montreal, Quebec Ontario
Cst. C. M. LaFosse St. John’s, Newfoundland Nova Scotia
Cst. S. E. Lowden Edmonton, Alberta Nova Scotia
Cst. B. A. MacDonald Dartmouth, Nova Scotia British Columbia
Cst. S. E. MacNeil Ottawa, Ontario Prince Edward Island
Cst. C. A. Marshall Ottawa, Ontario Ontario
Cst. S. A. Merinuk Roblin, Manitoba Saskatchewan
Cst. P. S. Moisse London, Ontario Manitoba
Cst. B. J. Morris Sherwood Park, Alberta Alberta
Cst. G. E. Mortenson Sherwood Park, Alberta British Columbia
Cst. P. R. Painter Calgary, Alberta British Columbia
Cst. H. A. Phyllis Toronto, Ontario Manitoba
Cst. M. L. D. Pilotte Ottawa, Ontario Quebec
Cst. D. L. Pohorelic Calgary, Alberta British Columbia
Cst. J. P. M. Potvin Ottawa, Ontario British Columbia
Cst. A. V. Pritchard Niagara Falls, Ontario British Columbia
Cst. R. M. Russell North River, Newfoundland Newfoundland
Cst. C. J. Smith Victoria, British Columbia British Columbia
Cst. K. L. Somers Winnipeg, Manitoba Manitoba
Cst. S. H. Sullivan Lakeville, New Brunswick New Brunswick
Cst. J. M. Whidden Niagara Falls, Ontario Alberta
Cst. B. J. Woods Victoria, British Columbia British Columbia
Cst. M. I. Wright Hull, Quebec Ontario
Women Advisor: Major D. E. Toole
Troop Counsellor: Cpl. K. F. G. Wilkins
untarily join the Mess.