RNWMP Constable Manual

Commissioner A. B. Perry had created a small manual so that “each member will make himself fully conversant with the details of the manual in conjunction with the Criminal Code and other Statutes of Canada.”

Photograph of the cover and inside cover of the 1907 Royal North West Mounted Police (RNWMP) Constable Manual (Source of image – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

Some excerpts from the Royal North West Mounted Police Constables’ Manual – 1907:

Much of it holds true to this day; replace horses and saddlery with cars and other equipment!

Temper:  A perfect command of temper is absolutely indispensable in the proper discharge of the duty of constable.

Harsh language on the part of constables to the public and persons in custody is not to be permitted.

Constables, if rudely treated themselves, are not justified in retaliating.   All duties must be performed with firmness, but at the same time with moderation.   Words, in themselves not objectionable, frequently give offence from the tone of voice in which they are uttered.

A constable must not allow himself to be moved or excited by any language or threats, however insolent.

Idle or silly remarks are unworthy of notice.

Forbearance and moderation will always be appreciated by the public.

Detachment Duty:  Non-commissioned officers and men on detachment should as far as possible make themselves acquainted with the names of all persons in the district in which they are stationed, their locations, reputations, property, if owners of cattle or horses, their brands, and if owners of mining property, the claim number, etc., and generally all matters concerning them.   In addition they should learn all trails, important land marks and such like.

This information can be obtained in a quiet way, without exciting comment, and asking unnecessary questions, and will be found most valuable in the detection of crime.

Constable should make it a point to hear and see all, and to talk as little as possible about their business.

Men on detached duty must be careful about their dress and appointments, taking care that they are at all times neat and tidy and smart and active in appearance.   Some men think that as soon as placed on detachment work, they are privileged to appear in dirty uniform, in fact to wear anything; this is a wrong impression, and creates a bad opinion of the discipline of the force in the public mind.  The detachment quarters, stables and outbuildings should be kept tidy and neatly arranged.  Police outposts should be a pattern of neatness and cleanliness.  Stores, saddlery, harness, etc., must be carefully looked after and hung up, as far as possible, in such manner as will enable their being easily examined and checked by an inspecting officer.   A little care in this respect prevents articles being mislaid, damaged or rendered unfit for service.

It should be borne in mind that the appearance and condition of detachment horses speak for itself.   Horses well looked after testify to that fact.

Photograph of the inside pages of the 1907 RNWMP Constable Manual with the notations made by Commissioner Bowen Perry (Source of image – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

If you have details or photographs which Ric can include in a forthcoming webpage, please email him at rshall69@shaw.ca