RCMP marks 50-year anniversary for first female troop [Video]

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization’s history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

In September 1974, “Troop 17” became the first group of women to take the oath to become regular members of the RCMP and begin their training at the legendary RCMP Academy in Regina.

RCMP Supt. Dustine Rodier says she’s honoured to be able to celebrate such a milestone.

“This is a groundbreaking, monumental event and to be a part of it, it’s pretty special,” Rodier said during an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Bruce Frisko on Monday.

Rodier joined the organization 30 years ago as a police dispatcher. It didn’t take long before she realized she wanted to be on the other side of the radio. She joined as a regular member in 2000.

“I knew that that’s what I wanted to do. I always thought growing up that I would join …