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Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of a Badge
June 15, 2010
Vol. V, p. 520

Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.


Blazon

Badge

A roundel Bleu Celeste charged with a bison’s head caboshed proper, within an annulus Azure edged and inscribed with the Motto in letters Or, environed by maple leaves Vert and ensigned by the Royal Crown proper resting on a scroll Azure inscribed CANADA in letters Or;

Motto

MAINTIENS LE DROIT;


Symbolism

Badge

The Royal Crown, the maple leaves and scroll with “Canada” represent service to Canada of this police force created to uphold the Crown’s peace, and have been present, together with the bison’s head, from the first use of the badge, c. 1876. The crown also relates to the permission given by King Edward VII in 1904 to use the word “Royal” in the force’s name, and to signify that the reigning monarch is the Honorary Commissioner. The bison alludes to the prairie grasslands where the police force performed their first duties, the early members of the police force depending on the animals for food, fuel, and clothing. Royal blue is a colour traditionally associated with police forces.

Motto

This French phrase means “uphold the right”, or alternately, “maintain the right” and “defend the law”. In a slightly different form (“Maintien le droit”), this motto was previously used by the Grand Trunk Railway Regiment from c. 1866 to 1881, and later by the North-West Mounted Police.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 26, 2011, in Volume 145, page 1074 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of the North-West Mounted Police, the predecessor of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet

Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet


Recipient Information

Civil Institution
Federal Agency

View all Letters Patent for