The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (The RCMP) is Canada's national police force, and it is also a part of the Canadian mythology. this Police is one of the best in the world. The colourful RCMP musical ride, an exhibition of hourseback set to music, is a popular attraction in Canada and abroad. A Mountie (a member of the RCMP) in a bright red jacket and a broad white hat is one of the symbols of Canada.

The RCMP was established more than a century ago. In the early days of Canada's settlement, there was mo major police force. In 1870, when Canada bought the land north of the U.S. border between the Great Lakes and the Rocky Mountains, the Canadian government decided that low enforcement agency was needed. This force was established in 1873 and was called the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP). In 1904, King Edward VII added the term "Royal" to the force's name in recognition of its services to the Crown.

Now the RCMP has more than 16.000 peace officers and about 5.000 civilian employees, six crime detection laboratories across Canada and a computerizes police information center in Ottawa. The RCMP represents Canada internationally as a member of the International Criminal Police organization (INTRERPOL).

The RCMP began as a small, temporary, rural police force and has grown into a significant force. Throughout its history, it has always emphasized the peaceful settlement of differences, using guns only as a last resort.