True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: April 2014
O.515, Assistant Commissioner H. P. Tadeson
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Assistant Commissioner H. P. 'Tad' Tadeson was born on May 31, 1924. He enjoyed a long and successfulcareer in the Force and he served as a model Canadian police officer in many, many ways. He died in Toronto ON on August 18, 2001.
Upon reflection today, it seems like only a few months ago that I was in his company for the last time in Regina, SK. As good friends, we had met again at the 2000 RCMP Vets Annual General Meeting which was held at 'Depot' Division. His health was not good at the time.
H. P. Tadeson joined the Force in 1943. After Basic Recruit Training at 'Depot' Division, his career got underway on detachments throughout 'K' Division (Alberta).
He was in Alberta only a short time when his name and his reliable reputation grounded in good police instincts came to the attention of his superior Officers. In 1945, Constable Tadeson successfully led a team of RCMP members and solved a black market scheme. Constable Tadeson was recognized by being awarded a Commanding Officer's Commendation.
As the years passed, Corporal Tadeson gained more policing experience in Alberta. Eventually, he was transferred into Security Service in 'HQ' Ottawa, ON. Although junior in service, he received his Commission to Inspector on April 1, 1960. Along with the new rank of Inspector came more and more responsibility -- he was placed in charge of various investigational groups and rotated from Unit to Unit within Security Service. In addition,he served as Travel Officer and Personal Bodyguard to Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. In the mid 1960's he was promoted again within Security Service and transferred to 'E' Div. (British Columbia).
In 1973, H. P. Tadeson was transferred to 'Depot' Division (Regina, SK) at the rank of Chief Superintendent. Over the span of three years, he unexpectedly participated in a slice of Force history -- while he was the CO, the announcement was made by 'HQ' Ottawa that women would be allowed to join the Force. As the CO of 'Depot', he had a huge impact on the curriculum and Basic Recruit Training instructional styles.
It was also during this time frame (1973-1976) that I got to know Chief Superintendent Tadeson. As an Instructor, I had been involved in a wide number of volunteer activities at 'Depot; fund raising, Regina youth initiatives which involved recruits, Recruit Choir, support for disadvantaged kids overseas, dances and annual Christmas celebrations.
Meanwhile, however, I had very little or no contact with the CO, but I was pleasantly surprised when Chief Superintendent Tadeson acknowledged the volunteer activities for which I was responsible. He often took the time to send me notes in which he expressed his appreciation for my work.
On one occasion in the summer of 1974, Chief Tadeson approached me after the Sergeant Major's Parade. He told me that he intended to appoint me as the Troop Supervisor for 36 Troop - the second all women regular Troop which was scheduled to commence Basic Recruit Training in September, 1974.
Supervising Troop 36 was a very gratifying learning opportunity and the timing also allowed me to see history unfold as few other Instructors had experienced. As never before, women graduates from 'Depot' soon began to leave newly styled footprints in the hallways of the Force. In this 40th Anniversary Year of Women in the Force, I frequently pause to think of Chief Superintendent Tadeson and those historic days at 'Depot'.
I was amazed with the high moral standing and the intellect of Chief Superintendent Tadeson. In his speeches, he offered examples of what the community expected of Canadian police officers; for instance, honesty, integrity and truthfulness. While recruits are supposed to know these guiding principles, it was reassuring to listen to a very senior police officer articulate the ideals of law enforcement and also link them to his lifelong experiences.
His speeches gave recruits a wee glimpse into the values, ideals plus the professional life of H. P. Tadeson. Even though Chief Superintendent Tadeson had no previous experience in the field of police training, it was far more apparent that he had led an exemplary life as a member of the Force. It was reassuring for me to listen to him speak to a recruit audience. Further, his thoughts about the valuable ideals of life reminded me about the value of one's reputation and especially its importance in the community role of a police officer.
In his speeches, Chief Superintendent Tadeson stressed that the private life as well as the professional life of a police officer ought to be clean and above reproach. The real test of whether or not a police officer's personality is worthy becomes very apparent particularly on occasions when the police officer testifies in court.
There is no better place to measure the motives of a member than while he or she is in court. One listens and very quickly perceives if the police officer is trustworthy or not. In the end, the way in which he or she speaks also provides the court with valuable insights into the police officer's motivation of a case and whether or not he or she cares for a professional police career. In my experience, the court most always weighs the overall reputation of the police officer and it can have an important impact on the final disposition of a trial.
After three years at 'Depot', I was transferred in 1976 to the VIP Section in Ottawa, ON. One day prior to leaving 'Depot', I received a phone call from Chief Superintendent Tadeson. He asked me to meet him in his office in A Block. In his farewell words, he expressed his deep thoughts of appreciation to me. Then he presented me with a Wedgewood Commemorative RCMP 100 Year gift. The gift has always reminded me of Chief Superintendent Tadeson and of the best three years of my life at 'Depot while serving under his Command.
After 'Depot', H. P. Tadeson was transferred to the position of CO 'O' Division (Toronto, ON) with the rank of Assistant Commissioner. One year later, after a thirty five year career, he retired from the Force. I called to wish him congratulations. He was very excited to tell me that he had been hired as the Chief Security Officer for Trans Canada Pipeline based in Toronto, ON. A few months later, I met him at Toronto's Royal York Hotel for dinner. Over the years, we remained in contact with each other.
During the 1999 to 2000 year time frame, Assistant Commissioner Tadeson began to fail in health. I met he and his wife several times over the AGM weekend in 2000 at 'Depot' Division. He preferred not to tell me the seriousness of his sickness.
Instead, he quietly confided in Superintendent W. F. 'Bill' MacRae at 'Depot' and he asked Supt. MacRae to call me on the phone upon my return to Ottawa. I accepted his decision for privacy and I thought it was best that way. Assistant Commissioner Tadeson knew me well enough to guess that I would never have voted in favour of final farewells.
Assistant Commissioner Tadeson died in Toronto, ON on August 18, 2001. His wife Rosaline and their two boys were with him. At the time, I was out of the country serving in Bosnia with the United Nations.
Good-bye, good and faithful friend.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
April 23, 2014
