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Policing in the 50's6
The Mounted Police Return On Horse and Motorcycle1933
Banff, Alberta
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Fort Saskatchewan remained dependent on its own resources for law enforcement through the post-war period.In the early 1950s the local police force still consisted of just one officer and his motorcycle. Former Police Commission chair Neville Parry remembers one officer, George Virenka; an ex-boxer.
A second officer was hired in 1953 as the impact of Sherritt began to be felt. Expansion of the local force continued, with the construction of a new fire hall and police detachment in 1958. Police and firefighters had been sharing space with town staff in the old town hall built in 1906.
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Training Problems9
The Mounted Police Return Neville Parry Part III14 March 2004
Fort Saskatchewan, Aberta
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The local police force kept growing as the town continued to expand through the 1960s. By 1971 Fort Saskatchewan had seven police officers and moved them into expanded quarters in the basement of a new town hall.But there were problems.
Says Neville Parry: "All the little places around here did the same as we did. They hired these guys, I don't know what kind of training they had, but when we got bigger with Sherritt Gordon coming in here, these guys couldn't handle it."
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A Crook Amongst Us12
The Mounted Police Return Neville Parry 'One story...'15 February 2004
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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A crisis in the town police department caused council to consider alternatives.Says Neville Parry: "One story about the new policeman we hired. He went down south and robbed a bank.
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The Mounted Police Return Neville Parry Part II14 March 2004
Fort Saskatchewan, Aberta
15
"It's a really queer story 'cause he went down there and robbed and bank and he's policing the Fort.Unbeknown to him, one of the girls that worked in the bank he robbed got transferred to the bank here. He came in the bank and she recognized him and that's how he got caught."
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The Mounted Police Return Neville Parry14 March 2004
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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Soon after this incident Town Council agreed to scrap the town police force and hire the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. There was some debate, as the mounted police would cost more than a similar locally-operated force.18
The Mounted Police Return RCMP Assume Duties6 April 1972
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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