Badges and Insignia

1873-1904	1904-1920	1920-1954	1954-

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Regimental Badge

The first regimental badges appeared on RCMP uniforms about 1876.

The principal elements on the early badges can still be seen today; a buffalo or bison head facing frontwise; the motto; maple leaves; a scroll containing the title of the Force; and a crown at the top of the badge over the name "Canada".

The title "North-West Mounted Police" changed twice in English �?in 1904 it became the "Royal NorthWest Mounted Police"; in 1920 it became the "Royal Canadian Mounted Police". The crown at the top of the badge has also changed from time to time to conform to that designated by the reigning monarch �?St. Edward's crown was adopted for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We do not know the precise circumstances under which the bison head was chosen but it seems appropriate because of the close association of the RCMP with the prairie grasslands where early members depended on the buffalo for food, fuel and clothing. The adoption of the French motto gave the badge a bilingual character from the very beginning �?again the exact origin is unknown. At first the word "Maintiens" was spelled without the "s". In 1953 the badge was submitted to the College of Arms in England for redesigning according to heraldic procedures. The newly designed badge, authorized by Order-in-Council in 1954, used the motto "MAINTIENS LE DROIT".