On May 23, 2023, Canada Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The founding date of the Canadian Mounted Police is May 23, 1873. Then, according to the order of the first Canadian Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, the North West Mounted Police was founded. In 1904, the title “royal” was added to its name, and when reorganized in 1920, the service acquired its modern name: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

At the time of its creation, the main task of the new police service was to establish control over the vast Northwest Territories of the Canadian Dominion, ensure law and order there, as well as establish friendly relations with Indian tribes and explore new territories. The first detachment of the Canadian Mounted Police consisted of 300 people.

The list of functions and tasks facing the mounted police was constantly expanding and growing. Today, there are about 30 thousand people serving in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canadian police operate at all levels from municipal to federal, and also operate outside the country. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is involved in all areas of crime investigation, counter-terrorism and intelligence, internal security and senior protection, border security and anti-smuggling, as well as international policing and peacekeeping missions. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police can be called a unique organization, because in many countries of the world these numerous functions are assigned to dozens of different government agencies and services, while in Canada they are successfully handled by a single Canadian police force.

The postage stamp, designed for the anniversary of the police service by designer Réjean Myette, is a collage of several photographs of police officers, clearly demonstrating both its traditions and modern functions. According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Mike Duheme, the stamp is a fitting tribute to both the organization's history and the remarkable people who proudly serve in the force today and make it their job to keep Canada safe.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has become one of the recognizable symbols of the country; its classic uniform: a red jacket with gold buttons, a wide-brimmed Stetson hat, blue pants with yellow stripes and high leather boots are known throughout the world no less than the Canadian maple leaf. This uniform has changed little in appearance since the 19th century; it is used today as a ceremonial uniform for mounted police as a tribute to tradition. It is therefore not surprising that a photograph of a policeman in full dress riding a horse was chosen to appear on the postage stamp.

Despite the retained name of mounted police, Canadian police officers have long stopped riding horses. Although it should be noted that until 1966, horse riding training was part of the mandatory police training program. However, today the only equestrian detachment itself is the special unit The Musical Ride. This is a squad of experienced cavalrymen who demonstrate horsemanship and perform regular mounted shows reminiscent of the early days of the proud history of the Royal Mounted Police.

The Musical Ride (or Carousel), as a special unit, arose back in 1887 thanks to the desire of the first members of the North-West Mounted Police to prove their dexterity and demonstrate their riding skills. At first, officers organized competitions and colorful horse shows within the walls of the Regina Police College, but already in 1901 these performances were seen by the general public and the The Musical Ride began touring throughout the country. In the first half of the 20th century, cavalry performances were not yet regular, but their popularity grew from year to year. Since 1961, the Musical Ride has become an annual tour and is now known not only in Canada, but throughout the world. Each year from May to October, the Musical Ride tours Canada and foreign countries.

The Musical Ride performances always feature 32 riders and their commander, all of whom are active-duty Canadian police officers. The service life in the Musical Ride is only 3 years, because of this the composition of the participants is constantly changing. Getting into this unit is not easy: approximately 800 police officers apply every year in hopes of joining the Musical Ride. As a result of the selection, only 45 people remain who undergo horse riding training. Then the best 12-15 people move on to the second stage of training and continue to improve their skills as riders. They are gradually taking the places of cavalrymen who have completed their 3-year service in the Musical Ride. Not only people, but also horses undergo special training. The Canadian police have their own stable where they breed Hanoverian horses, carefully selecting horses for the equestrian Carousel based on physical characteristics, color, trainability and temperament. During the Musical Ride performances, riders perform complex group figures and formations to the music, which require the highest coordination and control from the participants to perform all movements in sync. Each police officer rides the same horse throughout the year in order to achieve maximum contact with the animal and coordination of movements.

Police cavalry performances are a constant success and are an integral part of all official holidays and major national and international events taking place in Canada.

Postage stamps in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were issued in booklets of 6 stamps on self-adhesive paper. Canada Post also provided a First day cover (FDC) and a special postmark with the silhouette of a mounted policeman.

In conclusion, I would also like to note that this is not the first issue of postage stamps dedicated to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In 1973, a series was released in honor of its 100th anniversary, and in 1998 in honor of its 125th anniversary. Even earlier, in 1935, a wonderful stamp with the image of a mounted policeman was released in the standard series. It was later reissued in 1982 in a booklet for the Canada 82 philatelic exhibition.

These releases clearly demonstrate the important role of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the history and life of the country, as well as the respect and respect with which Canada treats its police officers.

Sources: www.canadapost.ca, www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca