International Women’s Day and the women of Coquitlam RCMP’s Traffic Team

Coquitlam

2024-03-08 06:02 PST

In honour of International Women’s Day, Coquitlam RCMP are showcasing the women of the Traffic Team. This year also marks 50 years of women in the RCMP and Coquitlam RCMP will be sharing stories from some of the women working within our local communities.

See previous media release from January 26, 2024

On September 16, 1974, 32 women from across Canada took the oath to become police officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police beginning their training on September 18 and 19. Since then, thousands of women have followed, shaping the RCMP into what it is today.

Meet the women of Coquitlam RCMP’s Traffic Team

The Coquitlam RCMP’s Traffic Team is responsible for providing traffic services throughout Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nations. Traffic officers work to reduce motor vehicle collisions, educate the public, work closely with road safety partners and enforce traffic laws and legislation.

View a larger image - Cst. Tania Saunders conducting speed enforcement in the rain

There are a lot of misconceptions about Traffic officers, ranging from quotas or that we have nothing better do it than issue tickets, said Constable Jenifer Barker. But we are no different than our colleagues, with the exception that we issue tickets when offenders break the law.

Over the years, I have developed some thick skin as people can get very upset when they don’t think they deserve a ticket after breaking the law, added Constable Tania Saunders. But I love what I do, especially when I am on the motorcycle. People are very friendly when they see me driving the RCMP motorcycle, and often wave as I drive by.

Constable Tania Saunders and Constable Jenifer Barker are two out of fifteen officers within the Coquitlam RCMP Traffic Team. Constable Saunders has spent 18 out of her 20 years as a Police officer in Traffic. During this time, she became a motorcycle officer after completing specialized training in 2021, in order to ride a RCMP motorcycle.

View a larger image - Cst. Tania Saunders sitting on her RCMP Motorcycle

There is nothing better than riding the motorcycle as it allows me to maneuver through traffic with ease and I can see so much of the road, said Constable Tania Saunders. If there is a serious call, the bike can get there so much faster than a car, just because of the ability to move through traffic.

Constable Barker has spent 12 out of her 15 years as a police officer on a Traffic Team. During this time, she completed specialized training for commercial vehicle inspections and is often the only female officer at Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) checks.

View a larger image - Cst. Jen Barker standing beside a marked police vehicle

Being a part of CVSE checks is extremely important as commercial vehicles can cross through multiple jurisdictions in one day. Often these vehicles are carrying large and heavy loads, which if not properly secured can post a significant risk to the public, said Constable Barker. It’s really important to me to be able to prevent serious injuries and reduce harm, which I can do at these checks.

View a larger image - Roadside CVSE check stop with a marked RCMP vehicle in the front

To learn more, visit BC CVSE.

Working in the Traffic Unit is the best kept secret of the RCMP, said Constable Saunders. I have had amazing opportunities while working on the Traffic Team and love being a motorcycle officer.

What I love most about the Traffic Team, is being proactive through prevention and education, said Constable Barker. This aspect is different than other policing units, who often respond to emergency situations as they happen.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of women in Canadian police services has continue to grow since data was first collected in 1986 when only 4% of officers were women. Since then, the number has grown to 23% in 2022 with over 16,000 women police officers in Canada. In 2022, women accounted for 21.8 % of officers within the RCMP according RCMP Employee diversity statistics.

View a larger image - Cst. Tania Saunders conducting distracted driving checks in the rain

I would encourage any women wanting to join the RCMP or officers who have thought about joining the Traffic Team to do it, as it’s a great spot to be, added Constable Saunders. I can’t image being in any other unit of the RCMP; it’s an amazing experience. I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I love as a career.

To find a recruiting event near you, visit: RCMP Recruiting events

Released by

Cpl. Alexa Hodgins

Email: coquitlam_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: coquitlam.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

Follow Us:

cqrcmp
bcrcmpnews

@CQrcmp
@bcrcmp

@bcrcmp