MOUNTED POLICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1939, Page 4

MOUNTED POLICE

ROYAL CANADIAN FORCE. WIDE VARIETY OF DUTIES. OTTAWA. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, responsible for the policing of Canada's extensive northland, as well as the coastlines and a large area of the more populated districts, has a total strength of practically 2,600 officers and mon. The popularity of the force which has achieved international fame is indicated by the fact that approximately 2,250 applications for entry into its ranks are received from young men every year. The variety of duties that members of this police force are called upon to undertake is indicated by the fact that it uses aeroplanes, horses, sleigh dogs, automobiles, motor trucks, motor cycles, bicycles, cruisers and patrol boats in the enforcement of law and order. The training of recruits to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is most extensive. They are required, among other studies, to take up first aid work, boxing and jiu jitsu, care of horses and dogs as well as mechanical transport and typewriting. They also have to attend lectures on photography and finger printing, forensic medicine, scientific criminal investigation, criminal law as well as departmental regulations. While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is mainly known for its work in the field, scientific methods are made available for the detection . of crime through a central bureau established in Ottawa with a branch office at Regina, the western headquarters. A "crime index” based upon the system of crime detection in operation at Scotland Yard of London. England, records in detail the characteristics and methods employed by habitual criminals. Scientific laboratory work is also employed for affording evidence against persons responsible for the commitment of crime as well as quickly eliminating innocent suspects. A central finger print bureau is also maintained through which in one year close to 10.000 identifications were made possible.