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The Modern Mounted Police The Musical Ride I25 July 1999
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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The Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to serve Fort Saskatchewan from their own modern detachment building. Horses were long ago replaced by squad cars, and their duties have changed somewhat from the days of long patrols through the prairie.3
The Modern Mounted Police The Musical Ride II25 July 1999
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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Crime has changed, with illegal drugs replacing whiskey, and bank machine fraud replacing robbery. But the mounted police are still very much part of the community.Citizens participate in voluntary crime prevention patrols and other programs. Police members regularly visit local schools for the community-funded drug awareness program.
All of this keeps Fort Saskatchewan connected to the mounted police of very proud of this connection.
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Twenty-Four Hour Policing6
The Modern Mounted Police4 December 2000
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police serving Fort Saskatchewan today works a regular 10-hour day with his or her own shift.The shifts rotate day and night so that each member will typically work three days, then perhaps four nights, followed by a few days off. One member of each shift starts two hours earlier than the rest to ensure 24-hour police coverage.
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Recruits are required to be Canadian citizens of good character, proficient in English or French, with a secondary school diploma, valid driver's license, First-Aid certificate and able to type at least 18 words a minute with no errors.A new recruit earns $39,535, rising to $64,059 per year after three years.
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A Balanced Patrol10
The Modern Mounted Police Traffic Accident12 June 1999
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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A typical shift starts at the detachment office with a check to see what the last shift did. Members then might do work on investigations they already have underway, or respond to complaints phoned into the detachment. Most shifts include at least some time on the road looking for speeders or impaired drivers.A lot of time is also spent on paper work. Officers are expected to keep detailed records of everything they do should they arrest an impaired driver, for example. Such records will be reviewed should the matter go to trial.
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Protection and Apprehension13
The Modern Mounted Police Mountain Bike Patrol15 September 2003
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
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Fort Saskatchewan mounted police have enough squad cars and four-wheel drive trucks for every member on duty, with a vehicle to spare for members on extra duties. Members also carry guns, pepper spray, batons and tazers, and wear protective vests.Their working uniform is like that of most any other modern police force, consisting of pants with a bright yellow stripe down each leg, button shirt with collar, and a cap.
Local mounted police can also be found on bicycles. The summer bicycle patrol has proven to be an effective way to catch vandals.
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