District Profile Northern Peninsula District

District Commander i/c R.C.M. POLICE
P.O. Box 99
Port Saunders, NL
A0K 4H0
Telephone: (709) 861-3555
Fax: (709) 861-3140

The Northern Peninsula District, formed in 1999, is located at the northern tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, and includes Detachments located at Port Saunders, Roddickton, St. Anthony, and Flower’s Cove. Each of the four detachments that make up the Northern Peninsula District are classified as Isolated Posts, and RCMP housing is available to all members. The district headquarters is located in Port Saunders. The establishment of the District is as follows:

• One Staff Sergeant (District Commander in Charge of all RCMP officers, staff and operations)
• Four Corporals (Team Leaders - one in charge of each detachment)
• Ten general duty Constables
• Four public service employees (one full time, three part-time)
• Three Auxiliary Constables
• Several casual employees

District Mandate

To enforce the various statutes such as Criminal Code, Highway Traffic Act, Liquor Control Act and Controlled Drug and Substances Act. Additional initiatives include Youth, Organized Crime, Terrorism, International Police Services, Aboriginal Communities. Community-based Initiatives include Road Safety Vision 2010, and Senior and Youth Advisory Committees. The Northern Peninsula District has the support of specialized sections outside the district, such as Drug Section, Traffic Services West, Forensics Identification. Services, Major Crime, Federal Enforcement Section, Police Service Dog Section, Radio Support, Property Management and Informatics Section. The Northern Peninsula District averages 1,400 occurrences annually.

Port Saunders Detachment

NCO i/c R.C.M. POLICE
P.O. Box 99
Port Saunders, NL
A0K 4H0
Telephone: (709) 861-3555
Fax: (709) 861-3140

Establishment

• One Starr Sergeant (in charge of District)
• One Corporal, three Constables
• One full time detachment assistant
• One Auxiliary Constable
• Several casual employees

The detachment polices 12 communities with a total population of approximately 5,000.

Port Saunders has a population of approximately 800 and is located approximately 220 kms. north of Deer Lake, just off Route 430. The town of Port Saunders got its name when three British war ships returned from Battle Harbour, Labrador. One of these ships was under the command of Admiral Saunders, and Port Saunders bears his name to this day. This well protected harbour has been a haven for many ships throughout history. In years gone by when boats were the dominant mode of travel, Port Saunders was a major port of call. The primary industry of Port Saunders is the fishery (lobster, cod, shrimp and crab) and forestry (logging). A proud marine tradition still continues with the modern fishing industry of today. Port Saunders is a major service center for the area and is home to a hospital, pharmacy, regional high school, social services, victims services and marine service centre.

Local attractions include:

• Port Au Choix National Park located nine kms from Port Saunders was established because of the discovery of the remains of three ancient cultures - Maritime Archaic Indian, Dorset Eskimo, and Groswsater Eskimo.
  
• Keppel Island Lighthouse located near the mouth of Port Saunders harbour was a kerosene burning lighthouse when it was first built in 1901.

Port Saunders is surrounded by three major salmon rivers, all of which are within 10 km. of the town.

Roddickton Detachment

R.C.M. POLICE
P.O. Box 159
Roddickton, NL
A0K 4P0
Telephone: (709) 457-2468
Fax: (709) 457-2647

Establishment

• One Corporal
• Two Constables
• One part time detachment assistant
• One Auxiliary Constable
• Several casual employees

The detachment polices seven communities with a total population of approximately 6,000.

Roddickton has a population of approximately 1,200 and is accessed by travelling 275 kms. North on Route 430 from Deer Lake, and then south across the peninsula on Route 432 for another 100 kms. It is located 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean in sheltered and very scenic Canada Bay. The lumbering industry is the mainstay of Roddickton’s economy and it also acts as the service centre for the area. Roddickton is home to a medical clinic, stadium, bank, grocery store and a regional high school. With a moose population of two animals per square kilometer, the Town Council has declared the town “The Moose Capital of the World”. It is not uncommon to see moose on lawns, in back yards, or along the streets at any time of day or night.

Local attractions include:

• Located 10 kms. From Roddickton, the Underground Salmon Pool runs underground through a tunnel formed by erosion through the rock. Fish disappear into the opening and reappear about 800 meters away. The newly developed site includes an access road, a walking trail, boardwalk and viewing area near the pool itself. Roddickton’s scenery is breath taking with Cloud Mountain in the backdrop. The area is excellent for salmon fishing, boat tours, whale watching and hiking. Snowmobile and ice fishing are two main activities in the winter months.
  

Flower's Cove Detachment

R.C.M. POLICE
P.O. Box 130
Flower’s Cove, NL
A0K 2N0
Telephone: (709) 456-2500
Fax: (709) 456-2869

Establishment

• One Corporal
• Two Constables
• One part time detachment assistant
• Several casual employees

The detachment polices 22 communities with a total population of approximately 5,000.

Flower’s Cove has a population of approximately 280 and is located approximately 310 kms. north of Deer Lake on Route 430. It sets on the coastline of the Strait of Belle Isle. The town of Flower’s Cove is the “hub” of the Straits area. The primary industry of Flower’s Cove is the fishery (lobster, cod, shrimp and crab). Flower’s Cove is home to a medical clinic, bank, pharmacy, a youth centre, a regional high school and elementary school, a chronic care home, and a grocery store. Nearby St. Barbe, has a twice-a-day ferry to southern Labrador between May and December.

Local attractions include:

• Flower’s Island Lighthouse, constructed in 1877 and located on an island in the mouth of Flower’s Cove.
  
• The Anglican Church in the community has been declared a historical landmark. Built in 1920, funds for the construction of the church were raised by the women of the day selling sealskin boots. It is locally referred to as the “Seal Skin Boot Church”.
  
• Bird Cove Archaeological Dig at prehistoric Beothuk and Palaeo-eskimo sites are just a two minute walk from the road.

St. Anthony's Detachment

NCO i/c R.C.M. POLICE
P.O. Box 117
St. Anthony, NL
A0K 4S0
Telephone: (709) 454-3543
Fax: (709) 454-3457

Establishment

• One Corporal
• Three Constables
• One part time detachment assistant
• One Auxiliary Constable
• Several casual employees

The detachment polices 18 communities with a total population of approximately 7,300.

St. Anthony has a population of approximately 3,000 and is the largest town on the Northern Peninsula. It is located at the end of the Viking Trail (Route 430) at the tip of the Northern Peninsula, approximately 420 kms. north of Deer Lake.

St. Anthony had its beginnings as a seasonal fishing station for French and Biscayan fishermen in the early 1500's. This is how Jacques Cartier found it in 1534 when he named the protected harbour “St. Anthony Haven”. St. Anthony’s mainstay is varied, mostly comprised of the fishery and tourism. The largest employer however is the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital, with approximately 240 employees. St. Anthony is home to a medical hospital, a dental clinic, a credit union, bank, a regional high school and elementary school, motels, a shopping mall, furniture stores, a swimming pool, a stadium, a vocation school, a pharmacy, and a ski chalet (cross-country). Located half way between Flower’s Cove and St. Anthony is a Regional airport which provides scheduled freight and passenger services.

Local attractions include:

• The Grenfell Mission, formed in 1892 by medical missionary Dr. Wilfred Grenfell to provide medical services to the scattered and isolated population of northern Newfoundland and Labrador. A museum in his original house contains photographs and memorabilia of his life. The hospital he constructed in 1924 still stands and the “Mission” continues his work. The Grenfell Historic Properties also include the Grenfell Interpretation Centre, a major interpretive exhibit commemorating the life of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, and the Dock House Museum, built in 1929 and now restored to its original look, this building was used to repair Grenfell Mission’s boats.
  
• Iceberg Alley is a major attraction, with peak times for viewing from May to July. Charter services are available of closeup viewing. Whale watching is also a favourite past time.
  
• Lance Au Meadows National Historic Site is located on Route 436 off Route 430. This is where the Vikings established the first European settlement in North America about 1,000 years ago. A recreation of sod houses lets the visitor experience life as it must have been, and an Interpretation Centre tells the story of these hearty adventurers who braved the North Atlantic in their small boats. Lance aux Meadows was declared a National Historic park in 1968 and a World Heritage Site in 1978. It is the first authenticated European presence in North America.
  
• Mounted Polar Bear Display - In 1984 a polar bear was wandering around the backyards of St. Anthony. The bear was found collapsed on the harbour ice. It was mounted by a local taxidermist and is displayed at the municipal building in St. Anthony.