The RCMP "C" Division is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police division responsible for federal policing in the province of Quebec. Approximately 1,500 police officers, civilian members, and public servants carry out a range of federal policing duties, including enforcing financial crime legislation, national and border security, combating organized crime, conducting investigations, providing VIP protective services, and undertaking crime prevention initiatives in communities throughout Quebec.
The role of the RCMP in Quebec is strictly to enforce federal statutes. The "C" Division differs from its RCMP counterparts in most Canadian provinces and from its policing partners in Quebec which operate under a community policing model. However, by combining resources and intelligence capabilities with its partners in Canada and abroad, the "C" Division is able to conduct interprovincial and international investigations.
Structure Its headquarters are located in Montreal with its detachments divided geographically into two districts: East & West.
History
The Northwest Mounted Police was established in 1873 to police the western plains. In 1920, it was renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). That same year, the Federal Government authorized the RCMP to establish its first detachment in Quebec, specifically in Montreal. Staffed by ten members, this office was inside a building at 283 Sherbrooke Street, located across from the main entrance of McGill University. The building was demolished in 1940. The officer commanding this detachment was Superintendent C.E. Wilcox, who was best known for his service in Western Canada. Later that year, the RCMP opened a one-man detachment in Quebec City, extending its presence to the province's two largest urban centres. Shortly after, the RCMP was stationed along the international border to collect customs duties and to stop illegal immigration into the country.
At the time, the "C" Division was tasked with the responsibility of enforcing some 40 federal statutes. Around 1921, the RCMP opened a few detachments near Indian reserves to maintain law and order and enforce the Indian Act, governing in particular the control and sale of alcoholic beverages.
Between 1920 and 1932, the RCMP considered the Province of Quebec as a simple district without alphabetical designation, whereas Eastern Ontario was designated as "A" Division and Western Ontario as "O" Division. Back then, the letter "C" was used to designate the Province of Manitoba, whose divisional post was located in Brandon. Detachment work consisted mainly of the application of Indian legislation, the Customs Act, and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, while drug and counterfeit currency enforcement was an important part of police work in Montreal.
In 1932, the RCMP absorbed the Customs and Excise Preventive Service. All 175 members and 35 vessels and crews that were once the responsibility of the Customs and Excise Preventive Service came under the direction of the RCMP. This created the RCMP Marine Service.
Operating with a limited complement of 33 members and four detachments in 1931, the RCMP then grew to a membership of 156 men and 31 detachments in Quebec. Given the additional duties brought about by the merger with the Customs and Excise Preventive Service, RCMP officers had to patrol the territory by land, sea, and air to fight against alcohol smuggling and other forms of contraband or to provide assistance to vessels in distress.
Due to the increased workforce, the RCMP restructured its district organization. The term "district"—used by the Force to designate its area of jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec, which was then under the command of Superintendent Dawn—was replaced by "C" Division.
Defining events of their role and history
RCMP participation was required in numerous events of major importance that took place in the Province of Quebec. The responsibilities of the Force included protecting VIPs during visits to Canada and providing assistance to other police departments in the province during major events.
Visit of Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt to Québec City in 1943 In 1943, as the Second World War was taking place in Europe, US troops joined their Canadian and European allies on the front lines. Since 1939, the two heads of state had held five conferences to develop strategies to defeat the enemy's offensive. They chose Québec City for their sixth conference. From August 17 to 24 of 1943, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill met within the walls of this fortified town for the Québec Conference, hosted by Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. Along with high-ranking officers of their respective armies, they planned military operations that led to the Allied victory over Axis forces.
Visit of French General Charles de Gaulle to Québec City on July 12, 1944 During his trip to America, a few weeks after the Allied landings in Normandy, General Charles de Gaulle visited Québec City and Montréal. Even though his stop in Montréal lasted only a few hours, he attended a formal reception held in his honour at the Windsor Hotel. Many dignitaries gathered for the occasion, including Quebec Premier Adélard Godbout.Bilan du siècle - Université de Sherbrooke http://bilan.usherbrooke.ca/bilan/pages/evenements/762.html
Expo 67 and the visit of Charles de Gaulle
With the opening of the Universal Exhibition in Montréal, Expo 67, Quebec received attention worldwide during the summer. The President of France, General Charles de Gaulle, made an official visit to Quebec on that occasion. From the balcony of Montréal City Hall, he said, "Vive le Québec libre!" [Long Live Free Quebec], drawing cheers from an ecstatic crowd.De Gaulle - Encyclopédie du patrimoine culturel de l'Amérique française http://www.ameriquefrancaise.org/fr/article-8/De_Gaulle_et_«_Vive_le_Québec_libre!_».html
1970 October Crisis The RCMP worked against the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) in the 1960s and 1970s and was the target of a bombing attack by the group. The 1977–1981 McDonald Commission investigated illegal activities by the RCMP Security Service in Quebec in their efforts to counter the FLQ before and after the 1970 October Crisis. The Commission's recommendations resulted in a separation of policing and intelligence duties with the creation of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the replacement of the War Measures Act by the Emergencies Act in 1988.
1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montréal
On July 17, 1976, viewers worldwide watched as the opening ceremonies of the 21st Olympic Games unfolded in Montréal. The world-renowned Olympic Stadium, Montréal's architectural landmark, was built for that occasion. The building features the Montreal Tower, which is the world's tallest inclined tower, standing at a height of 165 meters (appoximately 541 feet).https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/tallest-manmade-leaning-tower
The 2001 Summit of the Americas in Québec City From April 20 to 22, 2001, 34 democratically elected heads of state and government of North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean met in Québec City for the third Summit of the Americas. The meeting is well known for the security measures put in place for the event and for the numerous public demonstrations that were held as the meetings took place. The Québec Summit attracted more than 50,000 demonstrators from across the Americas, ranking it among the top alter-globalist protest events to this day. This international event, in which the RCMP played a key role, was marked by the largest security operation in Canadian history.
The 2008 Francophonie Summit in Québec City In October 2008, the largest ceremonial event ever to be held in Canada took place in Québec City, as 70 heads of state attended the 12th Conference of Heads of State and Government of Countries Using French as a Common Language, commonly called the Francophonie Summit. This Summit provides world leaders who share the French language with an opportunity to discuss topics such as international policy, the environment, Francophone cooperation, human rights, education, culture, and democracy. The Summit is held every two years and is the highest authority in La Francophonie. Security for the Francophonie Summit, which was provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Quebec City Police Service, and Sûreté du Québec, also required the collaboration of several federal, provincial, and municipal partners and agencies.
RCMP services in Quebec Although its primary focus is on the fight against major organized crime at the national and international levels, the RCMP has diverse responsibilities in Quebec. This section provides an overview of the duties performed by RCMP officers in the "C" Division.
Organized crime enforcement
Organized crime is one of five strategic priorities established by the RCMP. It is defined by the Criminal Code as a crime committed by any group of at least three people that has as one of its main purposes or activities the facilitation or commission of one or more serious offences where the primary motive is profit. Organized crime networks are an international problem that ignores national boundaries. This is why the RCMP advocates partnerships with the public and other Canadian and foreign law enforcement organizations to carry out its investigations.
Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC)
IPOC investigators hit criminal organizations by targeting the proceeds of crime and the very motivation behind any criminal activity, i.e., profit, by seizing the assets purchased by criminal elements with proceeds of crime. IPOC investigators work in conjunction with other RCMP units and several outside agencies, police departments, foreign enforcement agencies, banks and professional corporations.
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU)
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) is tasked with investigating major crime in partnership with local, national, and international agencies in an effort to curtail the expansion and development of organized crime in Quebec.
Aboriginal Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (A-CFSEU) Its goal is to investigate, pursue, and dismantle criminal organizations whose negative impact and intimidation methods pose a direct threat to the best interests and well-being of Quebec's Aboriginal communities.
Financial Integrity Their role is to prevent what is known as “white collar crime”, where a person gains unauthorized access to large amounts of other people's money. They prevent these crimes under federal law and can be national or international in scope.
Federal Investigation Section
The strategic objective of the Federal Investigation Section program is to ensure the health and safety of communities, protect the public and maintain Canada's economic integrity. The primary mandate of the Federal Investigation Section is to enforce federal statutes and related regulations through a combination of proactive and reactive strategies. The proactive program combines prevention, education and enforcement measures partnered with affected client communities. Reactive investigations are initiated in response to requests for RCMP assistance received from other federal departments and agencies.
The Federal Investigation Section investigates criminal offences under federal statutes with the help of the appropriate federal department. Through the provisions of 18 Memoranda of Understanding, the Section also provides assistance to partner agencies as well as various federal agencies and stakeholders in conducting investigations under any one of some 250 federal statutes. The program is enforced through five sub-sections.
Integrated Technological Crime Unit (ITCU)