True and Fascinating Canadian History
Fortieth Anniversary of Women in the RCMP
1974 - 2014
A Very Special Superintendent
And
The First in RCMP History
Superintendent Marlene R. Snowman
by J. J. Healy
Little doubt exists that baseball is one of Canada's finest summer sports. The windup contortions of the pitcher, the subtle, secret signs of the line coach and the distance of the long home run all remain mysteries to both sports writers as well as to science.
Physics has yet to define precisely what causes the curve ball to drop some significant inches just prior to reaching home plate. It is equally miraculeous that a batter can hit the ball considering that the stick he or she is holding measures less than 3" in diameter and the baseball is often clocked at incredible speeds in excess of 95 mile per hour. All in all, baseball can rub one's worries away.
And yet, happenings during the opening days of summer this year startled Canadians almost like no other time. For, it was not baseball, but instead bullets which caused Canadians to fear the events which took place on June 4, 2014. Three on-duty RCMP constables were shot and killed by a gunman in Moncton, New Brunswick. The murder of the police officers was described to CBC as evil by Canada's Governor General David Johnston.
The severity and the suddenness of the crisis caused the serenity of Canada's summer to be interrupted when the shooting began. In addition to the three career members who were killed, hundreds of other lives were also affected. At the time of the shootings, Superintendent Marlene Snowman was 'J' Division's Officer in Charge of the RCMP Codiac District.
Few Canadian police officers have had previous experience in a tragedy within a community of this kind. It is to Superintendent Snowman's credit that the residents of Moncton were assured of their safety until the gunman was captured. Aside from her position as the on-site senior RCMP Officer, her poise and professionalism were obvious. On TV, she displayed empathy, honesty and forthrightfullness.
According to newspaper reports, Marlene Snowman acted decisively upon hearing about the shootings for the first time. She brought into Moncton specialized units who were trained for events of this nature. Then, she was obligated to stay awake at the Command Post and coordinate the search for the gunman. After seemingly endless hours, she finally heard the words of a successful capture. Shebreathed relief as did the community of Moncton.
Marlene's policing background was grounded in operations. It was not too surprising that her perceptive skills helped her during the tragedy. She had a sixth sense that the gunman's movements would be contained and that he would soon be caught. In an interview, she told The Globe and Mail that while waiting for the phone call that, 'She'd had an 'inkling' just before that the suspect would soon be caught. It was one of those things where your intuition says, you know what, this is it, it's going to happen tonight'. p.A4. As it turned out, after a 30 hour search by police, her inner thoughts proved right.
Marlene Snowman joined the Force in 1988. After Basic Recruit Training at 'Depot' she was transferred to New Brunswick where, forseveral years, she performed General Patrol duties. After receiving her Commission in 2006, she was posted for two years as a TravelOfficer with then Governor General Michaëlle Jean. Afterwards, she returned to New Brunswick to take the post at Codiac District.
Residents of Moncton showed their deep appreciation to Superintendent Marlene Snowman as well as all the members of the Force for their dedication to policing and for the successful capture of the gunman.
The tragedy of Moncton and the loss of the three RCMP constables will be remembered for generations. But for the present, New Brunswickers can now return safely to summer.
Marlene Snowman was the first woman in RCMP history to command Codiac District.
Congratulations Madam for a job very well done under the most difficult and sad of circumstances.
The Memorial Funeral for Reg.#49269, Constable Douglas James Larche, Reg.#54869, Constable David J. Ross and Reg.#55685, Constable Fabrice Georges Gevaudan was held in Moncton, NB on June 10, 2014. R. I. P.
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
June 17, 2014
Source: I am appreciative to The Globe and Mail. Saturday. June 14, 2014. A4.