It was March 22, 1949, some 76 years after its inception, that the RCMP arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador. 8 members and one officer arrived in Newfoundland and opened a Divisional Headquarters on Kenna’s Hill in St. John’s. They were posted here to enforce federal law. The force was officially recognized a year later on August 1, 1950 with an agreement between RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gray and the Attorney General for the province, the Honourable L. R. Curtis.
The force took over the duties of the former Newfoundland Rangers and also members of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary serving outside St. John’s. 55 Newfoundland Rangers and 22 Constabulary members were accepted into the RCMP. The force was given the responsibility of policing all of Newfoundland and Labrador except the capital city. Because of the growth in the establishment of the RCMP, in 1954 the force opened up sub-division headquarters in Corner Brook and St. John’s. As the force continued to expand, sub-divisions were then added in Gander and Labrador.
