Women in the RCMP
Throughout its history, women have played an essential role in shaping the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Their dedication, hard work, and significant contributions have made the RCMP what it is today. In 2024, a pivotal milestone was celebrated—50 years since Troop 17 became the first group of women to take the oath as regular members of the RCMP and begin their training at Depot, the RCMP’s academy in Regina, Saskatchewan. The perseverance and commitment of these trailblazing women have left a significant mark on the organization, fundamentally transforming it forever.
However, blazing this trail was not without its challenges. While many of the first women in the RCMP were met with kindness and mentorship at their initial postings, they also faced significant obstacles, including gender-based harassment and discrimination—issues the organization has been forced to confront and continues to address today.
Women have served as police officers, civilian and public service employees, or as the spouses of officers and special constables. These women performed vital roles, especially in remote and isolated detachments, often volunteering their time and skills.
From the beginning, the men of the North-West Mounted Police–later the RCMP–relied on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women for survival in harsh environments. These women, often related to Indigenous Special Constables, crafted essential clothing like parkas, mukluks, and mittens, as well as equipment for sled-dogs. They also prepared the dried meat and fish necessary for long-distance winter patrols.
Starting in the 1890s, the North-West Mounted Police employed women as matrons to guard women in custody and escort female prisoners. The spouses of RCMP officers have historically volunteered to support operations in isolated posts, taking on duties ranging from operating radios and answering telephones to searching female offenders and providing meals for prisoners and visiting officials.
As the RCMP grew, so did the roles of women within the organization. During the Second World War, women were employed to fill clerical positions vacated by men who were assigned to war-related duties. After the war, women continued to work in administrative roles across Canada. Between 1922 and 1942, Dr. Frances McGill, director of the Saskatchewan forensic identification lab, supported the RCMP in medical science, forensic medicine, and pathology. Although legislation prevented her from holding a formal rank, she was appointed an honorary surgeon in 1946.
The creation of the Civilian Member category in 1960 opened the door for women to take on technical and scientific roles within the RCMP. On September 16, 1974, 32 women across Canada took the oath to become RCMP police officers, forming Troop 17. They began their training at Depot shortly after and, by March 1975, had completed their training and started work at detachments across the country.
Today, women serve in all 150 of the RCMP’s career specializations, from forensic labs to the Musical Ride, and from air services to VIP protection. Approximately one-fifth of the RCMP’s police officers are women, with increasing numbers in leadership positions. The RCMP appointed its first female commissioner, Bev Busson, in 2006, followed by Brenda Lucki in 2018, who led the organization for five years. The legacy of women in the RCMP continues to grow, shaping the future of the organization.
Sources: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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