Today when you visit Google Canada you will be greeted by a friendly “North West Mounted Police RCMP” giving a salute. Today is the 140th birthday of the North West Mounted Police in Canada and Google have placed the doodle on their homepage to celebrate this historical day.
In the Google Doodle there is the “North West Mounted Police” in his red uniform giving a salute and the Rocky Mountains and the Google Doodle in the background.
To be true to history today 140 years ago is actually the date of the founding of the North West Mounted Police, whom have merged in 1920 with the Dominion Police to become the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police).
The RCMP was established in May 23, 1873, by the Dominion Parliament to police the Northwest Territories, which at the time were much larger than they are today, and encompassed much of what today would be the northern halves of B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Although the RCMP is a civilian police force, in 1921, following the service of many of its members during the First World War, King George V awarded the force the status of a regiment of dragoons, entitling it to display the battle honors it had been awarded.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is organized under the authority of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act. In accordance with the Act, it is headed by the Commissioner, who, under the direction of the Minister of Public Safety, has the control and management of the Force and all matters connected therewith.
For a detailed overview of the North West Mounted Police and the RCMP we recommend that you read the Wikipedia article about the North West Mounted Police RCMP on the Wikipedia site. The article is very detailed and provide good inside into the RCMP and their 140 years history!
To all forming part of the North West Mounted Police and RCMP congratulations with your 140 years re-union and thanks for your service to the public!
