Richmond RCMP is proud to continue celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of women joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This milestone represents a significant achievement in the history of diversity and inclusion within the RCMP. As part of this commemoration, we are featuring a series of profiles of RCMP members serving the Richmond detachment, of diverse ranks, roles and backgrounds.
Honouring the Trailblazers: Troop 17
On Sept. 16, 1974, 32 women from across Canada made history as the first female officers sworn into the RCMP, forming Troop 17. This ground-breaking event paved the way for gender equality within national law enforcement. Known for their resilience and determination, the women of Troop 17 faced unique challenges and overcame numerous barriers to set a precedent for future generations. Their contributions have significantly shaped the RCMP, with women now making up approximately 22 per cent of RCMP officers.
Const. Carla Tsang: Strengthening policing through investigation and training
Const. Carla Tsang serves in the General Investigation Section (GIS) at Richmond RCMP Detachment, with eight years of dedicated service to the force. In her role, she focuses on complex investigations that go beyond the scope of general duty policing. A certified Public and Police Safety Instructor (PPSI), Tsang also ensures a high level of preparedness and tactical efficiency through use-of-force training, which she taught this year to Richmond Youth Academy participants, running them through realistic scenarios that replicate what an officer may encounter at a call for service.
In her free time, Tsang’s passion for martial arts has led her to become a judo coach, where she teaches both youth and adults the importance of self-discipline, respect and confidence—skills that are integral to effective policing.
What inspired you to join the RCMP?
Like many children who look up to police officers, I had a dream to become one from a young age, as my parents taught me that police are there to help people. I was particularly drawn to the iconic red serge. However, as I grew older, I pursued an education in accounting due to concerns about the dangers of policing, especially being a woman and smaller in stature.
While at university, RCMP recruiters visited, and hearing about the various opportunities within the RCMP reignited my childhood dream. I decided to apply and pursue my passion for helping others through law enforcement.
What is the average day like as a GIS investigator?
The average day in GIS depends on what we have on the go. We are a support unit for our frontline officers, and take on various files that are complex and require additional resources, such as robberies, home invasions, sexual assaults or aggravated assaults, as these files often require judicial authorizations to be drafted. It’s rewarding when I’m able to gather various pieces of information and link it all together like a puzzle.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?
When I first started, establishing a strong police presence was a challenge, especially as a smaller member physically. At crime scenes, people often gravitate towards more senior or physically imposing officers, which can make it more challenging to assert authority. Going to judo classes helped me develop leadership and confidence skills as they continuously do role-playing scenarios to provide practice in dealing with difficult subjects or control a chaotic situation.
How does your judo training impact your work as an officer?
Judo teaches respect and self control which helps prepare you for this line of work. Respect, because you have to respect the people you are interacting with. Even if they are someone I’m arresting, I have to take care of them and ensure their well-being. Respect leads to self-control, as not every person we interact with is easy to deal with and they may be intentionally trying to provoke you.
As for physical benefits, judo gives me more skills to handle uncooperative people, and the skills to better protect myself and my partners. It is an amazing self-defence where I do not have to be as big or strong as my male co-workers to be able to effectively throw someone or gain control in order to effectively arrest an individual.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career with the RCMP?
Try out a martial art, such as judo, to become comfortable with physical confrontation and to develop both confidence and self-defence skills. Go for a ride-along if you get the chance, as real-life policing is very different from what is portrayed in TV shows or movies.
Celebrating history and inspiring the future
Richmond RCMP’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of women in the RCMP aims to honour the trailblazing women who are shaping our community with their dedication and service. Through a series of media features, we will highlight the diverse roles and background of women officers within our detachment, showcasing their unique contributions to public safety. We invite the community to join us in celebrating the historic milestone by following us on social media and our newsroom for stories and updates. Engage with the women officers who continue to make Richmond a safe and vibrant community.
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