After first shifting to Lethbridge in 1885, the RCMP not have a detachment within the metropolis.
The power initially rented a butcher store, earlier than shifting into barracks on what’s now the town’s Civic Widespread in 1886, spending the subsequent 135 years in that space.
“That is historic that the (Royal Canadian) Mounted Police are not on this constructing and on this website,” Lethbridge Historic Society president Belinda Crowson stated.
“This space of city has been referred to as Barracks Sq. and now that has modified.”
All the things will now function out of the brand new constructing in Coaldale, Alta.
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Workers Sgt. Mike Numan stated the previous amenities in Lethbridge, which have been constructed within the Nineteen Fifties, had turn into outdated.
“We didn’t have any type of cell block for prisoners (or) interview rooms that have been correctly arrange,” Numan stated. “Together with the City of Coaldale, the province and the county we determined it might be nice to maneuver.”
In accordance with Crowson, Lethbridge was dwelling to the RCMP’s Ok Division and the town had an enormous police presence, with greater than 150 officers.
Lethbridge’s Barracks Sq. within the Nineteen Forties. Courtesy: Galt Museum & Archives.
Courtesy: Galt Museum & Archives
“There was a guard room, there have been gardens… quarters for the boys, stables,” Crowson stated. “This complete space between 9 (Road) and 11 (Road) and 4 (Avenue) and 6 (Avenue) was all (Royal Canadian) Mounted Police.”
And the Mounties continued to have a presence when what was then the City of Lethbridge launched its personal police power in 1902.
“We had a riot in 1907 that took each the (Royal Canadian) Mounted Police and the town police to place down,” Crowson stated. “There have been plenty of occasions that the 2 had co-operation regardless that (they) had their very own jurisdictions.”
The RCMP will nonetheless be a part of joint items with different legislation enforcement businesses within the metropolis, however Stafford Drive will not be referred to as dwelling.
“You consider the recollections in that constructing or within the buildings that have been on that website earlier than — and all of the totally different many years which have handed — it’s laborious, however development has to occur,” Numan stated.
“I do know we’re assured we’re offering a greater service to the general public on this new location.”
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