Welcome to the Sunset-Retreat Ceremony!

A Colourful Event

The RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division, is pleased to present the Sunset-Retreat Ceremony. This colourful event lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes military music, the lowering of the Canadian flag, the March Past, and a troop drill display performed by cadets dressed in the famous scarlet tunic.

You are also invited to meet our mounted riders, horses and Safety Bear following the ceremony.

A Centre of Excellence

The RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division—a community of more than 500 employees—strives to be a centre of excellence for peace officer training in Canada. Each year, hundreds of RCMP cadets and trainees from outside agencies graduate from this training centre. Mounties have been trained here for over a century.

For Your Information:

The Sunset-Retreat Ceremony is performed for the public every Tuesday from July 1 through to mid-August. The event starts at 6:45 p.m.; visitors are encouraged to arrive by 6:15 p.m. Cadets on duty will direct guests to the parking and best viewing areas.

In case of rain, the event will be cancelled and an announcement will be made on local radio stations. On evenings of performances, the RCMP Heritage Centre will be open until 9 p.m.

A Military Tradition

This ceremony is an old British military tradition dating back to the 18th century and is referred to as a "military tattoo". The term "tattoo", derived from an old Dutch word meaning "turn off the taps", comes to us from the 17th century when a soldier’s life was strictly controlled by his regiment. The daily routine of a military post was signaled by the beat of a drum. At sunset, a lone drummer was sent into the streets of town to beat out a tattoo. It was the signal for the tavern owners to close down for the night and for military personnel to return to the post. When the latter were back at the post, the flag was lowered in a ceremony marking the end of another day.

For more information, please contact Communications and Events Management Services at 306-780-5900.