Early History of Policing in Port Coquitlam

  • 1891

     

    Special Constables, Justices of the Peace

    The area now known as Port Coquitlam used to be part of the District of Coquitlam. The District first incorporated in 1891 and it included all of what is now PoCo and Coquitlam. In the early years there was no professional police force. Instead, magistrates could appoint special constables from members of the public to enforce the law. The Province also could send BC Provincial Police constables to enforce the law in the District.

  • 1911

    Municipal Police Force Established

    In response to the growing population, the increase in crime, and vagrancy near the railyard, the District of Coquitlam hired their first professional Police Constable in 1911. His name was J. R. Edwards. Although there were relatively few crimes, the area to be patrolled by Constable Edwards was very large. A horse had to be purchased as the more rural and undeveloped areas of what is now Coquitlam were being neglected. The Chief Constable had to wear many hats- he was also the Fire Chief, among other positions.

     

    1911

  • 1912

     

    First ‘Gaol’ Established

    The first jail in the district was the then-Municipal Hall, aka Kelly’s Hall. This building also served as the place of residence for the Chief Constable as well as the fire station. It is usually called a ‘gaol’, which is simply an alternate and older spelling of ‘jail’. Before the addition of cells, prisoners had to be let free at night, under the promise to come back in the morning. Needless to say, many did not return.

  • 1912

    More Constables Needed

    The job of policing the District proved to be too much work for a single constable. Constable Edwards was often taking workmen away from their shifts and appointing them as special constables to help him in his duties. The Council addressed this by hiring more constables. One  of those Constables, Emeri Pare, would later become Chief of the District.

     

    1912

  • 1913

     

    City of Port Coquitlam Incorporates

    What is now Port Coquitlam used to make up the more urban core of the District of Coquitlam. In 1913 Port Coquitlam seceded from the District and formed a new city. Almost all the police, City Councilors, and civil servants in the District go to serve the City of Port Coquitlam. Chief Constable Edwards resigns and is replaced by Turberville Thomas, a veteran of both the Northwest Rebellion and Boer War.

  • 1913

    A New City Hall: Jail, Court, Police Headquarters

    PoCo’s current city hall began construction in 1913. Not only did it serve as a place for the City Council to meet, it also eventually became the site of the jail. Traces of the jail can still be seen today. Court was also held in city hall, with Police Magistrate John Smith typically presiding.

     

    1913

  • 1914-1918

     

    World War 1

    The First World War called away many of the men who served in the police force. This included Chief Constables Turberville Thomas and McKinlay. Several former constables gave their lives during the war. After leaving the service, Chief Constable McKinlay returned to his former duties as Chief Constable and served in that capacity until the end of the municipal force.

  • 1917-1921

    Prohibition

    British Columbia made the possession of liquor outside of private dwelling place illegal across the province. This was a big change for the city. In the years before, liquor served at the hotel bars fueled many of the crimes documented in the court ledgers of the day. With this new law, hotels technically had to stop serving. However, not all followed the rules. Local police supported by Provincial Constables raided several hotels and the homes of bootleggers. Police made several arrests and courts imposed heavy fines.

     

    1917-1921

  • 1926

     

    Provincial Police Force Established in PoCo

    The City of Port Coquitlam officially ended its municipal police force and contracted the BC Provincial Police. They requested that the former Chief Constable McKinley be given a job of similar rank. The decision was not without controversy though. The Police Board and several citizens asked City Council to reject the Provincial Police contract and go back to a municipal force. Their request was denied.

  • 1950

    Provincial Police Force Dissolved, RCMP Get the Job

    In 1950 the BC Provincial Police were dissolved by the Provincial Government. At the time this was a very controversial decision. To the protest of many municipalities the RCMP were installed as a replacement. Most former Provincial Police Constables joined the RCMP.

     

    1950