District Profile Avalon District

The History of Avalon East District

A Memorandum of Agreement was made on July 12th, 1950 between the Government of the Province of Newfoundland and the Government of the Dominion of Canada. This agreement gave the Royal Canadian Mounted Police the authority to undertake the duties and services of a law enforcement nature formerly undertaken by the Newfoundland Rangers and certain selected members of the Newfoundland Constabulary. The governments agreed to the establishment of approximately 40 detachments and a strength of 140 Mounties to commence policing duties throughout the province on the 1st of August 1950.

On August 1st, 1950, Bell Island welcomed the first Mountie, Constable Jim Byrne crossed the tickle and paved the way for the future of the Mounted Police in Conception Bay. Other early Mounties serving on Bell Island included, Constables P.B. Harris, and Hap MacDonald. Ferryland detachment opened its doors shortly thereafter, covering not only the Southern Shore, but areas of St. Mary's Bay including Trepassey, St Shott's and St Mary's.

October 24th, 1966, concerned residents of Trepassey area submitted a letter to the Honourable Alec. T. Hickman, Minister of Justice for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The citizens stated that "Trepassey - Portugal Cove - St Shott's area is no longer isolated, as in the past, when there was little need of any police force as the residents were law abiding and neighbourly." The authors of this specific letter requested the establishment of a force at Trepassey as numerous vehicular accidents and civil cases being handled by Ferryland Detachment, were increasing. The community of St Mary's also forwarded a request for policing services during this period. The requests were subsequently approved and on October, 4th, 1967 the Constable in charge of the detachment wired St John's with an official telegram announcing the official opening of Trepassey Detachment.

On March 7th, 1967, the Minister of Justice received another request from the Honourable Phillip Lewis and the Honourable John Mahoney for the establishment of a Mounted Police detachment in the District of Harbour Main. The elected officials stated Harbour Grace detachment covered from Marysvale to Holyrood, where St John's detachment carried on the policing from Holyrood into the city of St John's. The Minister of Justice noted that the Magistrate for the Magisterial District of Holyrood is fairly busy and perhaps a detachment is warranted, as Harbour Grace and St John's detachments have an extremely large area to cover. On the 18th of September 1967, the detachment at Holyrood officially opened.

Prior to the governmental agreement between the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of the Dominion of Canada, in 1950, members of the Mounted Police were instrumental in the shaping of policing within this province. Mounties were active in the education and training of the Newfoundland Rangers in Whitbourne, prior to Joey Smallwood's genesis as Canada's last father of Confederation.

During the Second World War, the German U-Boat, U-518, sank the ‘Rose Castle' and ‘PLM-27' at Bell Island, before completing its intended mission.

Its mission!

To plant a spy in the heart of Canada!

The virgin U-Boat commander, with two kills to his fame, landed his cargo in Quebec. Within twenty-four hours, the spy was arrested by officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Since 1950, Bell Island alone, has been home to more than one hundred and twenty officers of the RCMP. The salt of Newfoundland and Labrador has seeped into the veins of the Mountie as much as the Mountie has woven into the fabric and foundation of this distinct province. From investigating crime, tracking international criminals, to community consultation, and chasing harp seals off the Trans Canada Highway, we remain, . . . dedicated to your service.

Maintiens Le Droit!

Staffing

Avalon East District

• 1 District Commander (S/SGT)
• 1 Detachment Commander (SGT)
• 4 General Duty Supervisors (CPL)
• 17 General Duty Constables
• 1 GIS Investigator (CPL)
• 1 Police Dog Services Member (SGT)
• 7 Civilian Members
• 1 Provo Section Member (CST)

District Location

The Avalon East District is primarily located on the South east portion of the Avalon Peninsula. The Avalon East District’s primary Detachments are Holyrood, Ferryland, Trepassey, and Belle Island Detachments respectively. The District is bordered by the Placentia - Whitbourne District and the Trinity - Conception District to the east and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary to the North Eastern Portion of the District.

Distinguishing Characteristics & Unique Features of Community

Holyrood

One of Holyrood’s prominent attractions is George Cove Mountain and Trail which leads to the cross at the top of George Cove Mountain and a breath taking view. Holyrood is also home to the Salmonier Nature Park which is home to approximately 84 species of birds, 15 species of mammal and 170 species of plant.

Ferryland

One of the big attractions to the Ferryland Region would have to be the “Colony of Avalon.” This is a very significant heritage site where early English, French, and Portuguese mariners first stayed in the early 1500's while trying to exploit the large cod stocks of Newfoundland. This site is known internationally and is a huge tourist attraction.

Bell Island

Bell Island has many things which distinguish it from other Newfoundland Communities. Bell Island is the largest island in the Conception Bay. Bell Island is well known for the number 2 and number 4 mines. Although the mines have been closed since 1966, they are still a predominant attraction for tourists. The island is also known for its many species of birds, making it a bird watchers dream.

Trepassey

Trepassey is full of historical significance. The one event that makes them famous is it was a place where Amelia Earhart rested for three weeks before being a passenger aboard the Airplane “Friendship” and becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic ocean.

Population

The Overall Population for the Avalon East District is 16,000 People. The majority of the population comes from the Holyrood region with approximately 7,000 people, then the Ferryland region with approximately 3,800 people, then the Belle Island region with approximately 3,000 people, and the Trepassey region with approximately 2,200 people.

District Mandate

The District priorities are: Drugs, problems with Youth, as well as any issues surrounding all-terrain vehicles.

Cases for District

Number of Cases Handled for the District are at approximately 4,400 annually with the majority of the cases being property crime.

Liaisons with Other District

The Primary Liaisons for the District would be the Placentia - Whitbourne District, Trinity - Conception District, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, as well as Wildlife and Fisheries Officers.

Community-based Initiatives

The key community-based initiatives for the Avalon East District go hand in hand with the District mandate. Thus the primary initiatives would be bridging the gap with the local youth, eliminating drugs in the district and addressing the ATV Act Violations.
Community Programs

School/Youth Programs

• D.A.R.E. ( Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
  This a National RCMP program which is taught by a uniformed police officer and offered to all grade six students in our district. The D.A.R.E. program teaches students the pitfalls of drug/alcohol abuse and gives them the knowledge to withstand the pressures to use drugs.
  
• B.R.A.V.E. (Be Ready Against Violence Everywhere)
  This program teaches students how to effectively deal with bullying without becoming a bully themselves.
  
• Youth Diversion Committee
  The Youth Diversion committee was designed to give the Health and Community Services (Social Workers), the RNC, the RCMP, and other people of the community an opportunity to discuss issues surrounding troubles youth and methods to better the Youth Diversion Process.
  
• Avalon East District RCMP - St. John’s Fog Devils Partnership
  This is a partnership between the RCMP and the St. John’s Fog Devils. The Fog Devils give season tickets to the District so the RCMP can bring a child from a local school to a Hockey Game. It is an opportunity to give a child a chance to see a Fog Devils Hockey game. It also gives the child the opportunity to meet RCMP officers in a different light and bridge the gap between the youth in the Avalon East District and the Members.
  

Community Councils

• Each RCMP Member in the District is responsible for at least one town council is his/her respective area. The RCMP Member regularly attends council meetings and interacts with the council to determine if there are any problems in the community which may be addressed by the District. This open communication with the councils is key in keeping the communities the District are responsible for happy.
  

GSAR (Ground Search and Rescue)

• Avalon East District has a volunteer Ground Search and Rescue team. They assist in finding lost people and Community Mobilization