History & Museum Pre-Amalgamation Police Department Histories

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Assiniboia Police Department 1881-1969

In 1969, the Assiniboia Police Department (16 members) was absorbed by the St. James Police in preparation for the amalgamation of all forces into the City of Winnipeg Police. The reformed St. James-Assiniboia Police Department had 82 members when it amalgamated with the Winnipeg Police on October 21, 1974.

History

The large District of Assiniboia became a Municipality in 1880 and originally included the area of St. James. Later in 1881, the Council appointed James HALLETT and Frank NESS as Constables to create the Assiniboia Police Force. In 1921, St. James became a separate Municipality with it’s own Police Force headed by Chief Herbert WALTON. The Law Enforcement Officer for Assiniboia was Constable DIXON during this time.

St. James later received City status in 1956, and in 1967 absorbed the Village of Brooklands along with their 5 man Police Force headed by Chief William SMERCHANSKI.

A further change in 1969 saw the re-amalgamation of the City of St. James with the Rural Municipality of Assiniboia. The 16 member Assiniboia Police Force headed by Chief Ken MCCASKILL, joined with the St. James Police to form the new St. James-Assiniboia Police Department. George MALTBY became Chief Constable with MCCASKILL and Herbert ROGERS appointed as Deputy Chiefs. Ken MCCASKILL succeeded Chief MALTBY in 1970, and ROGERS remained as a single Deputy Chief.

Prior to the unification of all Greater Winnipeg Police Forces in 1974, the St. James – Assiniboia Police Force, with a Police and civilian strength of 95, served a population of 75,000 and patrolled an area of 41 square miles. Upon amalgamation, this area became District No. 2 of the new City of Winnipeg Police Department.

Pre-Amalgamation Staff List

Chief of Police:	McCASKILL, Kenneth N.
Sergeant:	BROWN, James E.
Patrol Sergeant:	SCOTT, Richard B.
Detectives:	MULARCHUK, Edward SCHMIDT, Irvin P.
Constables:	ANDERTON, Nicholas S. BILLECK, Wayne P. DRYSDALE, John D. FLOCK, Robert J. HONEY, Bruce W. KELBERT, Eric OLSON, Ken W. H. OWENS, Ken J. PAULISHYN, Edward A. SAVINKOFF, Peter SOROKA, Ted M

The Winnipeg Police Museum is always seeking information, pictures or stories about the pre-amalgamation forces. If you have information on this department, please send an email to Sgt. Rodney Hutter.