2014 is the fortieth anniversary of women serving in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Shown are Drumheller detachment RCMP members (l-r) Constable Kelly Zacharkiw, Constable Sarah Boulton, and Constable Sara Rayat. Absent is Constable Rachel Pergunas.
2014 marks the fortieth anniversary of women joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as officers.
It may have seemed unusual at one time, but for members of Drumheller’s detachment, including the four serving female officers, they have never known an RCMP force that didn’t hire women.
“I’ve always grown up with women as authority figures,” said Constable Kelly Zacharkiw. “I never knew an RCMP force that didn’t have women in it.”
Zacharikw has been with the Drumheller detachment since July, and was a former member of the RCMP Musical Ride. She has been with the force since April 2007.
Constable Sara Rayat has been with the Mounties since February 2013. “We’re taught the history...the important point is you’re joining the job. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. We all work together for the common goal - protection, and safe communities.”
History of the RCMP shows that in May of 1974 the RCMP began accepting applications from women for regular police duties. The first troop of female regular RCMP, Troop 17, began training at Depot (RCMP training centre) September of 1974 and graduated March 3, 1975.
“These first women undoubtedly faced many challenges in a previously male only organization,” said Corporal Rod Guthrie of Drumheller detachment. “There were restrictions on the jobs that females could do, and this was highlighted by a different uniform for females compared to males.”
Once restricted, the field now seems wide open to female members of the force.
“General duty is kind of when you get your feet wet,” said Rayat. “You learn what you like. I’d like to get into forensics, IDENT - a property crime examiner.” This is similar to what the CSI shows display on television, but the time frames are realistic.
Different opportunities afforded by the modern RCMP seem as varied as the backgrounds and interests of the women who serve.
“For me, it was the fact that it was a challenging career,” said Constable Sarah Boulton. Boulton joined the Drumheller detachment within days of graduating training in September 2014. She had grown up playing varsity sports, and found there were a lot of opportunities with the RCMP she wanted to explore.
Constable Rachel Pergunas worked for Canada Customs for four years in Ontario, joining the RCMP in 2006 and moving to Drumheller in 2011.
“When you pick this job,” said Pergunas, “you have that personality that’s willing to run toward danger.”
“There are times when a female is a better fit for a situation,” said Pergunas. “Some victims of crime respond better to the female presence.” That female presence may seem unsettling to some, however Pergunas notes:
“The Commissioner, the RCMP, have a zero tolerance, and there are channels we can use if we feel harrassed or bullied.”
She said women policing in the RCMP seems generally accepted, and she hasn’t found herself in a situation where she’s not taken seriously.
The challenge and the drive to be involved in helping people at their most vulnerable were draws to the job for her. “You have to be as tough mentally as you are physically.”
Pergunas went on maternity leave this summer, and said the force is extremely accommodating, with the switch to light duties for expectant mothers in the RCMP dependant on their comfort level. The challenge of the job, the drive to assist their fellow humans, and the desire to help build safer communities seems to be something all four of Drumheller’s female RCMP constables have in common. It can be a long process from application to joining a police force, and the four constables encourage anyone interested to stick with it, and not give up, especially if it’s a dream to join the RCMP.
“I would recommend if this is something you truly want to do, keep at it,” said Constable Boulton. She said those waiting to join the force can feel discouraged, and recommends those waiting use the time to their advantage.
“Better yourself and do things that will help you gain confidence.” And as for keeping up the physical fitness end of it, “Find something you really like that doesn’t seem like a chore.”
The constables welcome any women interested in joining a police force to take the time and speak with one of them.
