In Search of Adventure ~ 70 Years of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police In Newfoundland and Labrador by Helen C. Escott

It all started on March 21, 1949 with the dispatch of nine Mounties. Arriving on our shores to establish a presence in Canada’s newest province, Newfoundland, these freshly minted officers had a huge task ahead of them. Not only were they required to establish a divisional headquarters in the capital city and to enforce federal law within the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of St. John’s, they were also charged with absorbing the existing law enforcement agencies that had previously operated on the island when it was an independent colony. With the absorption of  the Newfoundland Rangers and the Newfoundland Constabulary in 1950, the contract policing history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police began in this province. In Search Of Adventure ~ 70 Years of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador is an epic piece of Canadiana that chronicles the personal and professional lives of veteran officers and civilians of the RCMP who dedicated themselves to serving the coastal communities and towns of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In Search of Adventure is author, Helen C. Escott’s,  fourth book which was written on the heels of two best selling crime thriller novels, Operation Wormwood and Operation Vanished, as well as blog-turned-book I Am Funny Like That. As a retired civilian member of the RCMP herself, there is no better author who could commemorate the service of police officers in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador than the accomplished Helen C. Escott. Two years in the making, the research conducted by Escott is neatly packaged into a 303 page paperback, chronicling  conversations and interviews with over 70 RCMP veterans, civilians and wives whom Escott refers to as “the foundation of our organization”. Readers of this wonderful collection of stories will be intrigued by the unique history of policing within our province. From the early days of the non-uniformed Newfoundland Rangers who chased speeders in a taxi to officers that had close encounters with unidentified flying objects and those who provided sage advice to constipated callers, law enforcement was not for the faint of heart or for those who were looking for routine work. The compassion and dedication required to be an effective member of law enforcement is also highlighted time and time again. From officers that go above and beyond their duties by serving lunch at their home to a couple who had been involved in an accident, to wives of officers who were stationed in remote locations and sat up all night guarding arrested individuals detained at their homes, members did what needed to be done to serve the people in their communities. And of course, no commemoration would be complete without recognizing the efforts and telling the stories of both members and civilians during the historic Badger Riot and 9/11. Though each of the stories was interesting, fascinating and, many times, humorous or sad, readers will be particularly struck by the pride, camaraderie and sense of accomplishment expressed by each veteran who served with the RCMP. 

  “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” 

Sir Winston Churchill

        (quoted by ret. Diane Butler of “B” Division Headquarters)

Helen C. Escott has done a remarkable job at capturing the stories of these brave and humble men and women while at the same time making a great contribution to the unique history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police within Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a wonderful piece of Canadiana that will be enjoyed by both law enforcement personnel and civilians alike and will leave readers with an incredible appreciation for the men and women on our frontlines. In Search Of Adventure ~ 70 Years of The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador is a Flanker Press publication.