True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: November, 2020
Dedicated to Reg.#32394, Constable Joanne Gayle Horn. R. I. P.
Troop 36. 1974 / 1975
For about the first one hundred years of its existence, Canadian women were not allowed to jointhe Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and hence were banned from becoming police officers. Eventually in the mid 1970’s, politicians came to realize that about half of Canada’s population was excluded from joining law enforcement, and strictly all male police organizations lacked the diversity of people which truly represented main street Canada.
The RCMP's decision to allow full-fledged female membership was the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, and so for the first time in its history, women were hired as Canadian police officers by the RCMP in 1974 -- the first intake of 32 women were identified as Troop 17, and a few months later Troop 17 was followed by the second formation of 32 women identified as Troop 36, 1974/1975.
Who is Troop 36 of 1974/1975? Our Troop’s journey was truly an original and exciting trip into the all male domain of Canadian policing. Our Troop was engaged into the RCMP in March 1975 and the timing missed just by a week after Troop 17 had graduated from the RCMP Training Academy, affectionately known as ‘Depot’ Division in Regina, SK.
We were 32 women aged 19 to 26 from all across Canada. In fact, we boasted of having at least one woman from every province in Canada and one woman also originated from the NorthWest Territories. Together, we stepped into a world of largely uncharted Canadian territory which was the RCMP.
We differed from Troop 17 in some significant ways; for one thing, Troop 17 was under constant media scrutiny due to their originality in policing but we did not garner the same close publicity. Essentially, we were left alone. It was already difficult enough for us to be the lone women’s Troop among so many male Troops at ‘Depot’, so the absence of news cameras and the media was a welcome relief.
Beginning on March 17th, 1975, we were housed on the 2 nd floor of “C” Block in two-person bedrooms. We were paired up with a “pit partner” and consequently we spent almost every waking moment with each other; we marched together, we ran and swam together, we ate together, we shared aching muscles together, we laughed and cried together, we cleaned our dormitory together and we were “confined to base with extra duties” together (for minor infractions, we do swear!).
Our Troop’s identity had an unusual but exciting buzz to it. Troop 36 was the 36 th regular RCMP member troop undergoing training at ‘Depot’ in 1975 so of course our Troop # “36” easily gave rise to our unique motto: “Troop 36 or Bust”! Singer Helen Reddy’s iconic 1972 song, “I am Woman” became our mantra as we marched together, ran together or while we were bussed together from one training point to another at ‘Depot’.
At first, we wore so-called “fatigues” as clothing at ‘Depot’. Fatigues were common blue mechanic-like coveralls with a long zipper up the front. The less than flattering apparel for women was topped off with a little pillbox hat with a peak. The ensemble was complemented with white canvas sneakers or, depending upon the occasion, sturdy black oxford shoes with heels. We considered the fatigue uniform quite the fashion statement! Eventually, fatigues gave way to our regular RCMP uniform and we were ecstatic when it finally arrived so that we could feel more like actual police officers in basic training.
And through everything, we were so fortunate to have Corporal Joe Healy as our Troop Counsellor. Joe had the challenge to lead us and as a Troop, we think he had an interesting job of helping 32 women integrate themselves into a male dominated environment and navigate their way through RCMP basic training. He was absolutely wonderful in his role. We owe him so much and we thank Joe profusely.
When our six months at ‘Depot’ was completed, we graduated from ‘Depot’ and then headed off to our first Detachment postings all across Canada. Many of our Troop went on to have long and satisfying careers in the Force. The longest serving Troop mate retired after 36 years of RCMP service.
Some of us married fellow RCMP but at that time, the RCMP did not allow married members to be stationed together. This policy meant that some Troop Mates had to choose between the Force or their spouses and so some of us consequently left the RCMP prior to pensionable service -- these women certainly did not want to leave the RCMP but at the time they truly felt that they were given no choice.
We had our first Troop Reunion in 1990 which was our 15th Anniversary of service in the RCMP. Troopmates traveled from British Columbia to Newfoundland to be together. We have held a reunion every five years since then.
Our first reunion was all about “remember when” and we laughed and cried over things that happened in ‘Depot’ and in the first few years of our RCMP careers. Eventually, we also held one reunion in Las Vegas!
As time has gone on, each subsequent reunion has been more about who we are today, about our families, and of how our lives have evolved since the previous reunion. Our Troop is always amazed at how we are able to “pick up where we left off” from the last reunion, how we still deeply appreciate, how we trust and support one another, how we can share all of our experiences no matter what they are, and how we can still laugh wholeheartedly together through it all. Thinking back, it was not all roses for any of us by any means, but as a Troop we are all truly thankful that we were brought together so that we could become such good, life-long friends.
We are so very sad to recall that our Troopmate Joanne Horn who passed away in Chilliwack, BC in 2005. Joanne was first posted to Saskatchewan after graduating from ‘Depot’ Division in 1975, but she was involved in a motor vehicle accident in 1979 which left her incapacitated. Joanne received a medical discharge in 1980. We have a photograph of Joanne which we bring to every reunion so that she can rejoin her soulmates. She will always be with us in spirit and we miss her.
Joanne passed away on April 21, 2005 in Chilliwack, BC. She was 50. RIP
We are so proud to have been members of the original RCMP Troop 36 of 1974/1975. But more than our pride, is our legacy and our story now depicted by the following words on our brick on the Heritage Walkway, “Friends Forever”.
And so our Troop’s story continues down through time…
“To Troop 36:
As I reminisce about the women who comprised “Troop 36 or Bust”, I fondly recall all of them as well as their inner strength. Troop 36 was first on the stage of Canadian policing and they evoked the strength to persevere the highs, the lows and the trials at ‘Depot’. I don’t recall them crying while I knew them, but I recall them laughing. I recall how quickly Troop 36 melded together to become friends, and how quiet ‘Depot’ was after they graduated. Troop 36 enriched my life, and gave me precious memories which have lasted all of my life, and I love them.” (Troop Supervisor. Joe Healy, 2020)
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
November 23, 2020
