The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Quebec
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1920 |
| Headquarters |
Montréal (Québec 45°30′N 73°34′W / 45.500°N 73.567°W |
| Motto |
Maintiens le droit Defending the Law |
| Employees | 1500 |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Parent department | Public Safety Canada |
| Website | http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/index-eng.htm |
Maintiens le droit
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Quebec, which is commonly referred to as "C" Division, plays a federal policing role in the Province of Quebec. Approximately 1,500 police officers, civilian members and public servants dedicate their efforts to a number of business lines, including financial integrity, national and border security, and organized crime enforcement. The RCMP in Quebec relies on dedicated resources to conduct investigations, provide VIP protective services and undertake crime prevention initiatives in communities in all areas of Quebec.
The role of the RCMP in Quebec is strictly to enforce federal statutes. "C" Division differs in that respect from its RCMP counterparts in most Canadian provinces and from its policing partners in Quebec, that are guided by the concept of community policing. However, by joining forces and intelligence capabilities with its partners in Canada and abroad, "C" Division is able to conduct successful interterritorial investigations.
In addition to its headquarters located in Montréal, "C" Division is composed of detachments that are divided geographically into two districts, namely East and West districts. Detachment locations
In 1920, the Federal Government authorized the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to establish its first detachment in Quebec, specifically in Montréal. Staffed with ten members, this office with barracks was housed in an old building located at 283 Sherbrooke Street, across from the main entrance of McGill University. The building was demolished in 1940. The officer commanding this detachment was a superintendent named Wilcox, who was known mostly for his work in Western Canada. Later that year the RCMP opened a one-man detachment in Québec City, thus serving the two largest urban centres in the province. Shortly after, the RCMP provided police presence along the international border to collect customs fees and to secure the border from illegal immigrants.
Back then, "C" Division was tasked with the responsibility of enforcing some forty federal statutes. Around 1921, the RCMP opened a few detachments near Indian reserves for the purposes of maintaining law and order and enforcing the Indian Act, governing in particular the control and sale of alcoholic beverages.
It is interesting to note that between 1920 and 1932, the RCMP considered the Province of Quebec as a simple district without alphabetical designation, whereas Eastern Ontario was designated as "A" Division and Western Ontario as "O" Division. Back then the letter "C" was used to designate the Province of Manitoba, whose divisional post was located in Brandon. Detachment work consisted mainly in the application of Indian legislation, the Customs Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, while drug and counterfeit currency enforcement was an important part of police work in Montréal.
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Wikipedia