Honouring the Unsung Pillars: Unveiling the RCMP - Second Man - Plaque

On May 23, 2022, a significant chapter in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s history was officially recognized with the unveiling of the RCMP “Second Man” plaque. This important commemoration pays tribute to the generations of RCMP wives who, though never formally sworn in, became critical, unpaid partners in law enforcement across Canada for more than a century.

A Historical Backbone of Policing in Canada

Since the North-West Mounted Police's formation in 1873—later becoming the RCMP—members were often posted to remote or developing areas of Canada, including northern outposts and isolated rural detachments. These postings demanded more than just professional policing skills; they required adaptability, endurance, and an unwavering sense of duty from the entire family. RCMP wives, without formal job descriptions or recognition, stepped up as indispensable contributors to both operational success and the well-being of the community.

Living quarters for many detachments often doubled as the community's police office, leaving no clear line between private family life and official RCMP responsibilities. Wives became the default support system. When members were called away on patrols or emergency duties, their wives were left to manage not only household duties but also key policing tasks.

The Range of Duties: Beyond the Call of Duty

The informal yet essential responsibilities undertaken by these women were vast:

• Guarding and searching prisoners, often in the absence of female officers.
• Answering detachment phones and radios, ensuring constant communication lines between the public and the RCMP.
• Recording complaints and administrative tasks, handling the paperwork of law enforcement operations.
• Maintaining detachment buildings, including cleaning offices, preparing meals for prisoners and visitors, and ensuring a safe, functional environment.
• Providing first aid, often being the only immediate healthcare providers in remote communities.
• Teaching school or leading community initiatives, acting as pillars of social stability.

All of this was done while raising children, maintaining households, and frequently moving from post to post, facing isolation, harsh climates, and unpredictable living conditions.

Beyond their operational roles, RCMP wives played a vital role in building relationships within their communities. They were not just supporters of their husbands’ duties but were leaders in their own right—organizing community events, bridging cultural divides, and ensuring that the detachment was not only a place of law enforcement but one of support and trust.

In many communities, especially in the North and rural regions, the RCMP wife became a lifeline for neighbours, offering guidance, education, and compassion in times of need.

Formal Recognition: The "Second Man" Award

Despite their essential contributions, it wasn’t until 2010 that these women began receiving formal acknowledgment. The RCMP and the RCMP Veterans’ Association jointly established the “Second Man” Award, a title that harkens back to the traditional policing term used to describe the backup officer—a reflection of how these women often served as their husband’s right hand, his reliable "second man." Hundreds of recipients across Canada have since been recognized for their selfless service, dedication, and contributions to Canadian security, values, and community cohesion.

The unveiling of the RCMP “Second Man” plaque on May 23, 2022, is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the invisible, unpaid labour of generations of women who, for decades, embodied the spirit of duty and service without the benefit of recognition or compensation.

Their resilience and commitment helped shape not only the RCMP but also the communities they served, reinforcing the ideals of Canadian citizenship and community responsibility.

This plaque stands as a permanent reminder that the history of the RCMP is not solely written by those in uniform but also by the steadfast individuals who supported them from behind the scenes. It ensures that future generations understand the sacrifices and contributions of these unsung leaders—a foundation upon which much of the RCMP’s proud legacy rests.