RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT - Through the Years

RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT
THROUGH THE YEARS
All of this to turn a boy into a man.
It worked.
Driver training was the most relaxed class of all. Three of us would go out in an unmarked
police car with an instructor, and take turns driving around the city for half a day. Loved it!
Once the instructors were comfortable that we knew what we were doing in standard columnshift
cars, they took us out into the country where we practiced driving off the highway into the
ditch at 70 mph and back out, plus overtaking and stopping (another training car). Some scary
moments. But it was like a day off for us.
All of my Dad’s RCMP friends were still serving and 2 of them were my superiors. There were
no favours, believe me.
For the 3 months we were in Regina, we got one 11PM Friday pass and one 1AM Saturday
pass per week. Usually at least one, if not both of those was rescinded regularly due to some
minor misconduct by any 1 of our 32...be it lint on a jacket, late for a class, talking, you name it,
they found a reason to kick our ass. I was brought before the S/M on several occasions and
lost my privileges. Other times, we were scheduled for a ‘duty-weekend’ where we couldn’t
leave…we had to do 24-hour security checks of the property, and care for the horses which
were still all stabled there. We had to clean them every morning but didn’t have to ride. That
was enough though to stink up your uniform and get stuck up your nose. Riding as a part of
training was cancelled in 1966. The horses were awaiting auction.
Lunch ‘hour’ was short as we had
to be on parade in spit and polish
condition. I was a drummer in the
recruit band so had to get over to
the drill hall quickly and form up
with the band. Consequently, I
usually only had time for dessert
every day before having to get
ready. I was a slow eater
then…and remain so to this day.
Because I was in the band, we
didn’t have to clean the stables in
the morning. We had band
practice instead. There was a
method to my madness.
Noon Parade - June 1967
When we were lucky enough to leave Depot for an evening out, we had to dress in jacket and
tie, and trilby hat. No exceptions. Everyone in Regina knew who/what we were. Some of the
rougher element in town resented it, so you stayed away from their haunts. Since I came from
Regina, I usually managed to take my laundry home for Mum to do (bless her heart) as I
enjoyed my time off in my rented car – a weekend cost $25, and that was for a 1967 Mustang!
On March 1 st 1967, we got a raise from $4800 per year to $5000!! No stopping us now! Off of
that, however, came taxes, and all kinds of deductions, including one for room and board. Not
much left over.
June 2017
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