The Invermere RCMP work out of a rather large building. This is out of necessity as the detachment serves Invermere, Windermere, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont, Panorama, Canal Flats, Edgewater, Brisco, Kootenay National Park and Jumbo. This is essentially all of the Columbia Valley from Cranbrook, to the south, to Golden, to the north. This detachment employs 911 dispatch, is staffed by approximately 12 officers and respond to over 3,000 calls per year.
The RCMP are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the national police force of Canada, established in May of 1873. Originally named the North-West Mounted Police, in 1904 the title of "Royal" was conferred upon the North-West Mounted Police by King Edward VII. A second police force, the Dominion Police had been formed by that time and, in 1919, the Force was merged with the Dominion Police and given the name Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
In a "public relations" vein, the Columbia Valley detachment, located in Invermere, held an open house back in 2014, inviting the public in to both see what the detachment looks like from the inside and get an idea of what goes on inside. The Columbia Valley Pioneer ran a short story on the upcoming event, reproduced below.
RCMP detachment opens doors
Posted in News on May 16th, 2014 by By Dan Walton-Pioneer Staff
You don’t have to break the law to get a look inside the local cop shop, as the Columbia Valley RCMP detachment is hosting its annual open house on Wednesday, May 21st.
Located beside BC Hydro on 4936 Athalmer Road, detachment members will be inviting the public over for an informal visit from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Guests will be given a chance to take a close look at the police vehicles, tac gear, and (hopefully) their police dog, depending upon his scheduling.
“We’re hoping the police dog will have free time and be able to attend,” said Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovak.
And for a little police action, officers will be offering ATV rides to the youngsters.
The Lake Windermere District Lions’ Club will be bringing their barbecue to the open house to provide a free dinner, and the club will also be offering fingerprinting for the children.
Tim Hortons will also be providing complimentary refreshments.
The jail cells will be a little more colourful than normal, as the Grade 3 students throughout the valley were asked to draw posters representing police involvement in the community. The posters will be displayed in the cells, with one student from each of the valley’s six elementary schools receiving a prize from Home Hardware or Canadian Tire.
From the Columbia Valley Pioneer