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West Shore
2025-03-18 09:00 PDT
March 2025, marks the anniversary of the first ever female officers to have graduated from RCMP Depot Academy and become RCMP officers.
To celebrate 50 years of women in the RCMP, we interviewed several women with deep and long-standing ties to policing.
Thank you to all the women who have served in the RCMP both past and present.
[ Video starts with a text that reads: On September 16 1974, 32 women from across Canada made history when they were sworn in as the first female cadets in the RCMP. Known as Troop 17, they pushed through many challenges, proving themselves in a male-dominated field. In March 1975, they competed their training and started work at detachments across the country.]
Cpl. Karen Adams (retired): The biggest thing was that we weren’t really wanted, right. It was very much a political enterprise that brought women into the RCMP. So a lot of members didn’t want us. We were warned about that even at Depot. Members saying, women don’t belong in the RCMP. So harassment was real. Although there were a lot of great guys that I worked with. Earlier on in my service, it was that constant reminder that you are not welcome
[Video of all female troop marching at Depot in 1970s][Group photo of Troop 17 in 1974][Photo of Troop 17 female cadet at Depot filling out paperwork in uniform][Group photo of 3 members of Troop 17 in uniform looking at paperwork in uniform][Group photo of Troop 17 marching in the parade square at Depot][Members of Troop 17 being inspected at Depot] [Female member arresting male in 1970s]
Eva Silden: Women make up half the population. So there is really very little reason why women wouldn’t be not just included, but, would be half of the, half of the organization of public safety including policing, corrections etcetera. I had a lot of women tell me in my research that when they joined policing they joined because they were really excited about their career and the change that they can make in the community. And, they also talked about, not really thinking about how impactful gender and gender inequality would be for themselves in that role and in their careers.
[Video of female RCMP member speaking to male members][Video of female RCMP member speaking to a client][Photo of Sgt. Alexandra Mulivhill of E Division with daughter Cst. Ryleigh Mulivhill of K Division. Both in Red Serge][Two photos of Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha of E Division in Red Serge and Blue Serge][Photo collage of sisters Cpl. Karen Adams (retired) and Cst. Shelly Marsh (retired) throughout their careers. Text reads: First sisters in the RCMP][Female cadets marching in Parade Square in the 1970s]
Cpl. Adams (retired): None of us would say that we set out to change an organization or that we wanted to make a political statement in any way. We just wanted like most members of the RCMP, wanted to help people. I wanted to do the job, and all I wanted was the opportunity to do that job.
[Members of female troop being inspected at Depot in 1970s][Group photo of Troop 20 (all female) in 1977][Photo of Karen Adams receiving her badge at Depot in 1975][Video of female member driving in general duty RCMP car in 1970s][Video of Cpl. Nancy Saggar driving general duty RCMP car]
Cpl. Nancy Saggar: What attracted me most to policing was the ability to help people in their time of need, in their time of crisis. When the day is not going well for them and you get that 9-1-1 phone call to be that person who shows up and you get to decide how to help them, to do the right thing. That is what attracted me.
[Photo of Cst. Brooke Cheney of E Division in Red Serge] [Photo of Cpl. Tammy Jones of E Division in uniform with female PSD Eda][Photo collage of Cst. Imane Gourramen of National Division. Photos include Cst. Gourramen in general duty uniform, in Red Serge with several Canadian flag themed cakes, and in general duty uniform speaking to group at a podium]
Eva Silden: You know you have young women today whoa re considering policing but also feel that is somehow still a man’s role which speak to kind of the culture of policing. So very much the culture of policing is one of men and masculinities. And so in order to sort of be heard, like in a meeting, maybe you’re the only women, they have to think deeply about how they speak and do it sort of in a way that men do.
[Two photos of female RCMP members in 1970s or 1980s][Photo of female RCMP member in tunic and skirt standing with male RCMP member in RCMP Serge in 1970s][Photo of female RCMP in red tunic and skirt standing in front of RCMP general duty police car][Black and white photo of two female RCMP officers smiling at each other][Photo of female RCMP officer with three male RCMP officers in general duty uniforms]
Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat, Surrey RCMP Provincial Operational Support Unit and President of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police: When I fist began taking on leadership roles as a Corporal and Sergeant, I would walk into meeting rooms or into discussions not just internally in my origination but even externally they would automatically assume that you weren’t in a leadership role just sometimes by the way you looked. And I you were with men they would assume the men were the supervisors. And that was because I think the, just not having that mindset of growth and understanding that a boss doesn’t have to look a certain way. A boss doesn’t have to be 6’ft tall, they don’t have to be a man, they don’t have to have a certain haircut or style of communicating. It could be anyone.
[Group photo of C/Supt. Mehat with other officers in front of general duty police car][Group photo of C/Supt. Mehat in Red Serge with other members][Photo of C/Supt. Mehat being interviewed][Photo collage of Commr. Bev Busson, the RCMP’s first female commissioner and member of the Troop 17. Photos include Commr. Busson in Red Serge as commissioner and from 1975 at Depot.][Photo collage of Insp. Nina Miller of E Division in uniform]Cst. Shelley Marsh (Retired, Troop 20, 1977-78): Meeting so many members, female members that are having opportunities to be in positions that we, that was never even an opportunity. [Black and white photo of female Troop marching at Depot] [Officers marching at Parade Square at Depot]
C/Supt. Mehat: With women in leadership they have a lot of emotional intelligence. A lot of women are able to sense when somebody is having a difficult time expressing their thoughts. They are able to see with employees and really get down to the root cause of what’s happening. They can really have a different understanding of when they is an issue with an employee or even organizationally they will look for other ways to problem solve.
[Female RCMP officer along with female nurse knock on a house door][Female RCMP officer along with female nurse speak with client inside their home][Photo collage of Sgt. Leanne Krauss (retired) in Red Serge and general duty uniform] [Photo of Cpl. Catherine Hawkesbury of H Division in uniform with camera in hand] [Cpl. Corinne MacPherson speaking with female high school student at educational event] Cpl. Saggar: Our lived experience is different that that of our male counterparts, so therefore we are going to be different leaders. That’s not to say men aren’t good leaders I have several bosses, all men, great leaders. But we do need to have a fair and balance approach. And to be frank, if you have never seen a woman in a position of power and you’re a police officer now at a lower rank what is going to make you think that you can do that job? [Two female RCMP officers watch girls high school basketball game][Photo of Cst. Darby Klekta of E Division walking with horse][Photos of Cst. Holly Weatherby & Cst. Pamela Thiffeault of E Division][Photo collage of Cst. Lavanneya Pancharatnarajah of E Division in Red Serge and general duty uniform][Photo of Insp. Trudy Murray (retired) of B Division][Photo collage of S/Sgt. Brandy Boychuk of K Division in Red Serge and different uniforms]
C/Supt. Mehat: When people see women at leadership tables it makes it achievable for everyone. I know I certainly felt that way when I saw women coming into leadership roles in the RCMP. I actually looked at them and I thought ok I can do that too. I could be just like them.
[Photos of Sgt. Stephanie Ashton (retired) of E Division in uniform][Photos of C/Supt. Mehat in uniform]
Cpl. Adams (retired): To see women at every level, commissioned officers, that was non-existent when I was in the force. And now no matter where you look women are every rank. The Sergeant Major for BC just the sweetest gal, that was not possible for a female to be a Sergeant Major, or a Corps Sergeant Major. And now we have a Corps Sergeant Major whose actually in Ottawa who is female, a lovely gal, I met her when we were in Ottawa and that to me is just mind boggling. And women shouldn’t take that for granted that there wasn’t a fight from the beginning for them to be where they are today.
[Photo of Troop 17 members- Karen Adams, Donna Morris, and Bev Busson at the 2024 Regimental Ball][Photo of Bev Busson and Shelly Marsh speaking at the 2024 Regimental Ball][Photo collage of Commr. Brenda Lucki (retired) in uniform. Text below photos reads: First women to permanently hold the position of Commissioner of the RCMP][Photo of Corps Sergeant Major Elaine Maisonneuve of National Division][Black and white video of female RCMP member getting out of car and entering RCMP detachment][Black and white video of Female RCMP member looking for evidence near a home]
C/Supt. Mehat: If I am in a situation, where if I am in a meeting, or receive an e-mail where the tone of that could be very pointed or it could be with somebody who doesn’t have a mindset of acceptance, I’m very quick to want to address that. Because if we don’t address these issues we allow people to treat us a certain way. I think you are able to do that by being respectful in how you do that. I’ve learned a lot about that throughout the years because people will, there are times regardless of your gender where people will make a judgment call and have an idea of how they want to treat you. At times we have to be very mindful of how we want people to treat us and we have to set those boundaries.
[Photo of Deputy Commissioner Jodie Boudreau of National Division] [Photo of Deputy Commissioner Marie-Claude Dandenault of National Division] [Photos of Cst. Kelsi Yoxall of E Division in uniform][Photo of Cst. Amy Rawlins of K Division in Red Serge][Photo of Kim Tent of E Division in Red Serge][Photo of Krista Reid of H Division in Red Serge][Photo collage of Cst. Justina Webb of E Division. Photos include Cst. Webb posing with young girl in a police Halloween costume, handing out roses to seniors in Red Serge, and speaking with youth]
Cst. Marsh (Retired): Your opinion matters, what happens to you, you are in charge of your career and your destination and where you want to go to in the force.
[Photos of Cst. Parveen Moore of E Division in uniform]
Cp. Saggar: I find a lot of women doubt their abilities. They maybe lack confidence, but confidence is only something you are going to gain if you do something you’re afraid of. You got to push your limits a little bit, you have to challenge yourself and once you are successful after you have challenged yourself, you will find yourself gaining confidence. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Don’t let fear make your decisions. If you have a desire to be in a position, a job, you need to go for it. You have to have the guts to try and that is what will get you success.
[Photo of Cpl. Saggar with volunteer and Cst. Moore at event][Photo of Cpl. Saggar in uniform with young girl][Video of Sgt. Ferguson speaking with male RCMP member during training event][Photos of Supt. Nav Hothi of E Division][Photos of Cst. Chantal Mitchell of E Division] [Photo of Cpl. Jana Rose (retired) in Red Serge with husband Insp. Stephan Rose][Black and white video of female RCMP member getting into RCMP general duty police car][Video of Cst. Weatherby in general duty police car]
Cpl. Adams (retired): Don’t let anybody dull your sparkle. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t. And I was told that, many times, that you can’t, that won’t happen. But just to persevere, and to believe in yourself and to believe that you belong. You belong here and there is lots of space for women in policing.
[Photo of female RCMP member in Red Serge waving Canadian flag. Text reads: You belong here. There is lots of space for women in policing. Apply today. Make a difference. Bc.rcmp.ca/careers
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