History of Kelowna RCMP

1892

• Kelowna is named. The BC Provincial Police are on contract for policing services in the city.

1895

• Constable R.R. Lowe (Provincial Police) is the lone police force in Kelowna. Police quarters include two cells and a guard room, which were all considered quite adequate for Kelowna’s needs.

1905

• The City Kelowna and appropriate laws were formed.

1906

• City counsel passed a bylaw and instructed the presiding Chief of Police, Constable Brent, to prohibit bathing in the lake without a bathing suit between the hours of 6am – 9pm. Skinny-dippers were fined $100 or 30 days in jail!

1907

• Use of dog tags was considered due to the excess of dogs running loose in the city. Dog taxes were enforced.

1907

• Breaking horses on city streets was prohibited.

1908

• Reckless riding of bicycles on city sidewalks was a chief complaint.

1909

• City Counsel approved a night Constable to help stop thieving and to provide more fire protection. Chief Hidson was the only other city policeman at that time.

1910

• Any means of transportation ‘not drawn by horses’ was prohibited to drive at a speed of more than 15mph. A speeding ticket was worth $100.00.

1912
February

• "The entire police force resigns” – the Chief of Police, Ian MacRae and the night policeman, D. Fitzpatrick.

1912
March

• The greatest manhunt in Okanagan’s history. Boyd James and Frank Wilson robbed Charter & Taylor’s general store and post office in South Kelowna with a 40.44 colt revolver. They were eventually arrested in Penticton and returned to Kelowna on the SS Okanagan. However, as they neared Peachland, James shot and killed Constable Aston with a hidden .22 revolver, and then James and Wilson made their escape. They were recaptured by P.H.L. Seely and R.D. Ramsay at Wilson’s Landing. James was executed for the murder of Constable Aston.

1913

• March brought about $189.50 in fines and 48 hours of prisoner street work from those who could not pay their fines.

1932

• Chief of Police, David Murdoch, was found "not guilty by reason of insanity" for the fatal shooting of Genevieve Nolan and ex-Constable Archie McDonald.

1932

• Well respected businessman, Wong Sam, was murdered in a robbery.

1932

• One month later, Rutland businessman Charlie Wing was robbed on Rutland Road.

1934

• Motorists are warned not to park in the middle of Bernard Avenue between the light standards as this is in contravention of the law.

1950

• August 15 - RCMP officially takeover policing in Kelowna with 7 RCMP Officers stationed in an old wood building in downtown Kelowna. Commanding Officer Thomas was the first RCMP in charge in Kelowna.

1951

• RCMP Kelowna detachment is moved to City Hall

1962

• RCMP Kelowna detachment is moved once again to a new administration building on Doyle Avenue, where they remain to this day.

1965

• April 10 - Const. Neil Bruce was gunned down while attempting to rescue a young woman. He died in Kelowna General Hospital on April 14 at the age of 26. He had been on the force for 6 years. Constable Neil Bruce Middle School in Kelowna is named in his honor.

1973

• Kelowna triples in size and the Doyle Avenue police detachment begins extensive renovations and a second floor.

1977

• RCMP force now number 49 with a request for 6 more officers. They were granted 2, making a force of 51.

1978

• September - $284,414 worth of renovations to the Doyle Avenue RCMP building are complete.

2006

• Still situated on Doyle Avenue, the Kelowna RCMP Detachment is currently comprised of:

• 196 Members/Officers
• 8 Reserves
• 55 Auxiliaries
• 75 Civilian support staff
• 424 Volunteers