I admire and respect the RCMP and think it a great shame if a member is killed in the line of duty.
I refer to the large parade and funeral held in Langley during which thousands of uniformed mourners attended the funeral of one of their own.
If it had been a Canadian soldier killed in the line of duty, would the same courtesy and respect be warranted?
Would members of his regiment parade in dress uniform behind a military band?
I suspect that it boils down to the fact that it is a rarity for a member of the RCMP to be killed on duty (the exception was the tragic loss of four members ambushed in Alberta a few years back) and that casualties are far more frequent in the Canadian Forces.
What’s more, I’m pleased to see the RCMP get some favourable publicity for a change.
Mike Harvey, Langley