RCMP flag raised at Regina City Hall, celebrating 140 years of depot history

Officers and city officials gathered at Regina City Hall to celebrate the RCMP Depot Division’s 140th anniversary. Damian Smith reports.

It’s a celebration of 140 years at Regina City Hall, commemorating the history of the RCMP Depot division in Regina.

A flag raising took place Friday to honour the history, service, and dedication of the Depot since its formation in 1885.

“To put that into context, Queen Victoria was our monarch at the time,” said Mike Lokken, the assistant commissioner of the RCMP Depot division. “The North-West rebellion was going on, the Statue of Liberty was being raised in the city of New York, and six days after the depot opened, the railway was completed across Canada.”

There have been plenty of changes in Regina and Saskatchewan over the past 140 years as well.

“Crime is getting more sophisticated,” said Mike Weger, the legislative secretary of corrections, policing and public safety. “I think being a police officer is more dangerous than it ever has been, more complex, dealing with many different scenarios, whether it’s mental health or drugs and the RCMP have done a fabulous job of adapting when working to serve us as best as they can.”

“I have nothing but gratitude for the women and men that serve in the RCMP.”

With over 19,000 officers working across the country, the RCMP say that there has never been a better time to apply.

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“Some people will come to me and say, ‘I’m not sure if I have what it takes to be a police officer,” Lokken said. “Obviously, if your heart is in the right place and you’re a good person, that’s the basic thing that we’re looking for. You don’t necessarily have to be big and strong, people come from all walks of life, and that’s actually what makes us stronger.”

The Depot arrived shortly after Regina was founded in 1882 - and the city is proud that it can be a key developer for cadets, including their 26-week training program.

“We’re just happy to be a host to such an incredible service, and something that serves our nation,” said Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski. “We’re proud, and we’re trying to host the service here, to host the training here, and to have people come to experience what we have to offer here in the city.”

The RCMP will be hoping to carry on the tradition that started right here in the Queen City for another 140 years and beyond.