Ric Hall’s Photo Corner

August 15, 2013

For this week, Ric has selected the photograph theme of Force motorcycles.

In 1916, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police purchased its first motor vehicle which was used to escort prisoners. Then in 1922, the Force purchased their first police cars for patrol duty and were used to patrol the Canada US border.

The first reference to motorcycles being used in the Force is contained in the Report of the North West Mounted Police of the Year Ended September 30, 1919 which stated “The motorcycles have proved especially useful.” The following year, the report stated “Owing to the general use of motor-cars, it has been found necessary to supply mechanical transport to a considerable extent replacing the old horse transport. The Force is supplied with 33 motor-cars and truck, and 28 motor-cycles.”

1919 – Photograph of an RCMP member operating a motorcycle (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection)

In the Report of the Royal Canadian Mounted for the Year Ended September 30, 1925, a shift from an emphasis of motorcycles to Ford cars was noted – “The policy of replacing motorcycles by motor cars is being pursued, except in places where we are responsible for traffic control.”

By 1927, the report outlined “Motor transport is becoming increasingly important; many of the cars in our possession are no longer new, and while they are well cared for, replacements as well as additions are becoming necessary. The motor-cycle is being relegated to highway work.”

The Report of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for the year ended September 30, 1929 included a reference to motorcycles which stated “Motor transport steadily assumes new importance, and there have been increases. The general tendency is towards cars, which are specially valuable for work in settled country. This year there was an increase of twelve motorcycles, owing to the assumption by “A” Division of the duty of patrolling a part of the Driveway in Ottawa.”

In 1932 the report outlined “an experiment of some interest is the ordering of 12 motorcycles from British manufacturers. These are to be used by “D” Division (Manitoba), and are to be delivered in the spring of 1933.”

Photograph of early RCMP motorcycles (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection)

At the end of World War II, the functionality of the motorcycle was further promoted and was eventually introduced in “A” Division in Ottawa. By 1949, the Force had 28 motorcycles.

Photograph of an early RCMP Motorcycle (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection)

Between 1950 and 1960, members only wore a forge cap. Shortly after 1960, hard shell motorcycle helmets were introduced and have evolved into a professional piece of motorcycle equipment.

1968 – RCMP motorcycle training course held at the Cloverdale Rodeo grounds (Source of photo – Vancouver Division – RCMP Veterans’ Association)

1970s – Photograph of Surrey Detachment Traffic Section members with one of their motorcycles (Source of photo – Vancouver Division – RCMP Veterans’ Association)