History of RCMP in Lumsden, SK

Imagine my surprise as I, bursting with excitement over my column idea for the history of women in the RCMP, waltzed into the Waterfront Press Regional only to discover that the building where I park my purse for 10 hours a week also had a history with the detachment! After a tour of the jail, the drug room and the interrogation offices I decided to further investigate the story of the RCMP in Lumsden.

Although I received a photo, showing a troop riding in town, dated in the 1930’s from the RCMP Heritage Centre, it wasn’t until 1963 that the detachment was stationed in town. Prior to that time, the town was patrolled by municipal police. The first detachment was located where John Holman lives on 2nd Avenue. Constable R.D. Parsons was the first member stationed in Lumsden. The rental agreement in the R.N Gourlie (J. Holman) house lasted only six months as there were heat and water issues that forced a relocation of the detachment to house where Bev Harbour currently lives on Colbourne St.

In 1967 tenders were put out for a build-for-lease accommodation. Henry Bergen; Carrot River, SK; and Doug Little; Tisdale, SK; were the successful bidders. The pair built the home that is currently owned by Lucien & Jacqueline Chouinard and houses the Waterfront Press Regional.

In April 1974 the detachment, like so many homes in the community, had to be vacated due to flooding. For almost a month the detachment was run out of a portable trailer in the Department of Highways compound.

In 1994 the RCMP moved to their 4th and present location on Hwy. 20. There are currently 9 members, a public servant and a police dog named Maverick stationed in Lumsden.