The first duty that the Force performed in British Columbia was that of protecting Canadian Pacific Railway property and interests during the construction of the railway in 1884, 1885 and 1886. Under the command of Inspector Sam Steele, a small party of police kept in check the lawless elements of that time. Until June 1885, Steele’s Headquarters, consisting of a force of eight men, was at Golden. In 1884 a man named Baird was murdered near Golden and was robbed of over $4,000. Baird was murdered 29 miles from the line of the railway, thus being outside the limit of police jurisdiction which was 28 miles on each side of the track.

In the summer of 1885, as construction of the railway proceeded westwards, the NWMP Headquarters in BC was moved to Beaver Creek and Golden was left with a detachment of 3 men and one horse.

On New Year’s Eve, 1885, Cst. William Ross died while on duty. He and Cst. Ernest L. Percival set out to walk from Golden City to the Third Siding - a CPR installation west of the town. Constable Percival arrived at the Third Siding at 2:30 a.m. and reported that Cst. Ross had not been able to walk any longer and was approximately five miles from the Third Siding. Cst.Percival built a fire for Cst. Ross prior to leaving him. A search party found Constable Ross badly frozen and barely alive. He died a short time later. Cst. Ross was originally buried in the pioneer cemetery in Golden; however, his remains were moved to another location in Golden in 1954 when they were located by Cst. White. Cst. Ross’ grave marker was moved to the Calgary Heritage Park in 1964. Cst. Ross had engaged with the NWMP on April 12, 1882 in Toronto, Ontario.

Late in 1886, the NWMP were withdrawn from BC.    

In June, 1887, Superintendent Steele and “D” Division at Fort MacLeod were again sent to the Kootenay District of BC to restore peace between the natives and settlers of that region. At the time, there were two divisions located at Fort MacLeod - “D” and “H” Divisions. Prior to leaving for the Golden area, men were hired, discharged and transferred between the two divisions, so the names of all of the men who came to area is not known. The Division arrived at Golden on June 28 and pitched camp on the left bank of the Kicking Horse River, the camp being connected to the town by a wooden bridge.

Shortly after the arrival of the Division at Golden, the steamer “Duchess”, navigating the Columbia Lakes, was hired by the Police to ship supplies to the Kootenay; however, the boat capsized and very little was recovered. Steele engaged another small steamer belonging to J.C. Hayes, a merchant in Golden, at the usual rates of freight, viz., one dollar per hundred.

During the remainder of the Division’s stay in Golden, Steele employed the men and teams in hauling stores to the landing, getting the new saddles put together and oiled, branding and numbering the remounts, and various other duties in preparation for the trip to the Kootenay.

On the morning of July 17th, the Division headed for the Kootenay. Staff Sergeants Pane and Mercer and eight constables, most of whom were sick, were left behind in Golden. During the Division’s twelve month stay in the Kootenay, Golden continued to be the shipping point for supplies to the police post in the Kootenay.

In 1888, a road was under construction between Golden and the post at Kootenay. It was felt that this road would greatly facilitate communications, as previously the river and the packtrail were the only means of travel and freighting.

In August 1888, the Division left the district and returned to Fort MacLeod in the NWT.

It was not until 1919, in the re-organization following World War I, that the present “E” Division, BC was created; its headquarters at Vancouver had a strength of 211 men for the Division.

On August 15, 1950, the R.C.M.P. absorbed the BC Provincial Police and assumed the responsibility of the full policing of the province. One detachment, consisting of one constable (Cst. D.B. “Doc” Poole) & one corporal (Cpl. Alexander Craig) was opened at Golden. On that same date, the R.C.M.P. took over as detachment quarters, an office, cell room, and married living quarters in a building owned by the BC Provincial Government.

This building, located at 612 10th Avenue East was rented. It was vacated on January 31, 1965. The location is beside the present day (1998) Reddi Mart Convenience Store. The detachment neighboured the Court House of the time, which has since become a vacant building itself.

A new Crown-owned R.C.M.P. Type 17 Detachment Building was built by Burnham Construction Ltd. of Golden on the corner of Calgary and River Streets in 1964. These new quarters were occupied on February 1, 1965.

The R.C.M.P. continued excavations at the Golden Pioneer Cemetery at some point during the early 1980’s. The occupants of the cemetery were removed and relocated to the present Golden cemetery. Presumably, the cemetery was excavated due to its position adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway that was being upgraded near the cemetery at the time.

In 1975, the R.C.M.P. Type 17 Detachment Building was sold to a local resident (It is presently situated at 503 - 11th Street) and the Detachment took temporary quarters in the downtown section across the bridge at 414 E 6th Avenue. During the next year the new office transferred to this new building in the spring of 1977. Official opening for the new Detachment Office took place in July 1977.

Once again the Detachment was situated at 902 9th Street, formerly corner of Calgary and River Streets.

    The Golden Highway Patrol Unit regionalized in May 1995 to increase its membership from five to seven members. As well, authorization was given the same year to allow Golden H.P. members to patrol 45 kilometers into the Alberta Border. In 1996, the Highway Patrol experienced yet another gain in resources by the authorization of a Sergeant in charge bringing the total number of members to eight. Today, Golden Highway members patrol Highway #1 from Castle Junction to Roger’s Pass, Hwy 93 to Invermere and Hwy 95 to Golden.

In June 1998, the Field R.C.M.P. Detachment was closed permanently. Supplies and personnel were transferred to the Golden Detachment. The Golden R.C.M.P. now provides police service for the Field area. Previously, Field was a two-person detachment until 1996. In 1996, Field Detachment was reduced to one member detachment, while coverage was provided by the Golden R.C.M.P. when Field’s constable was off duty.

Today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are acting to meet the challenges and ever present changes to better prepare the police for the evolving needs of our community.