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Mountie Makers: Putting the Canadian in RCMP
Bob Teather entered RCMP Basic Recruit Training three decades ago with no idea of what he was getting into. Along with 31 other confused young men, he found himself in Regina, Saskatchewan, as a lowly member of Troop 18. Bald, intimidated and soon to be bruised, Bob began a six-month ordeal that he candidly recalls in this engaging book.
Corporal Teather’s story brings you close to six recruits from across the country—Prairie Dog, André, Lumchuck, Francois, weird Harold Burl and Teather himself, a scrawny kid from Hamilton—who often learned the hard way that “if it hurts you just tape an aspirin to it.”
Their experiences capture the essence of Canada and provide revealing aspects of the traditional RCMP training process. Near the end of his active career, Bob came to realize that it was Basic Training that put the Canadian in his RCMP and that bonds its members into a force capable of policing this complex country.
Corporal Teather’s story brings you close to six recruits from across the country—Prairie Dog, André, Lumchuck, Francois, weird Harold Burl and Teather himself, a scrawny kid from Hamilton—who often learned the hard way that “if it hurts you just tape an aspirin to it.”
Their experiences capture the essence of Canada and provide revealing aspects of the traditional RCMP training process. Near the end of his active career, Bob came to realize that it was Basic Training that put the Canadian in his RCMP and that bonds its members into a force capable of policing this complex country.
- GenresNonfictionCanada
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 10, 2018
Great Slice of Depot Life
The author is a great storyteller. It’s written in a very casual language, and progresses quickly. I finished most of the book within an afternoon. There’s a very personal focus on his troop mates, which was quite emotional at times. I became so interested in their experiences, that I couldn’t wait to get home and continue reading - not many books inspire that level of dedication from me.
The troop mates, and himself, were all very relatable folk. I’d bought the book out of interest in RCMP training. He does state that the training has changed dramatically in recent years. It does seem that they were brutalised on several occasions, and I wonder if that was necessary for good people to endure, as they volunteer to serve their country, and do a job their families could be proud of. Still, the transition from the old-school to the modern Mountie is seen as bittersweet.
I’d recommend the title to anyone with interests ranging from police work to Canadian history. The story does an excellent job of placing the reader alongside the Depot troops, and creating genuine emotion throughout their triumphs and failures.
The author is a great storyteller. It’s written in a very casual language, and progresses quickly. I finished most of the book within an afternoon. There’s a very personal focus on his troop mates, which was quite emotional at times. I became so interested in their experiences, that I couldn’t wait to get home and continue reading - not many books inspire that level of dedication from me.
The troop mates, and himself, were all very relatable folk. I’d bought the book out of interest in RCMP training. He does state that the training has changed dramatically in recent years. It does seem that they were brutalised on several occasions, and I wonder if that was necessary for good people to endure, as they volunteer to serve their country, and do a job their families could be proud of. Still, the transition from the old-school to the modern Mountie is seen as bittersweet.
I’d recommend the title to anyone with interests ranging from police work to Canadian history. The story does an excellent job of placing the reader alongside the Depot troops, and creating genuine emotion throughout their triumphs and failures.
September 7, 2009
This is about the 6-months' training program for Canadian Mounties. The bookis written by a retired mountie about his own training in 30 years ago, but I imagine it hasn't changed significantly. (no women in the mounties at that time, though) I thought the book was really interesting--different thoughts and culture--, but I was less invested than I was in "Making a Marine." I suppose because Canada is nt my country!!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews