Badge of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans' Association
Blazon
A bison's head cabossed proper within a strap Azure buckled and embellished Or, inscribed with the Motto MAINTIENS LE DROIT in letters Or, thereon an Imperial Crown proper above an escrol Azure inscribed CANADA in letters Or, the said strap surrounded by twelve maple leaves Vert, all above escrols Azure edged and inscribed ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE and VETERANS' ASSOCIATION DES ANCIENS in letters Or;
Symbolism
The Royal Crown, the maple leaves and scroll with “Canada” represent service to Canada of this police force created to uphold the Crown’s peace, and have been present, together with the bison’s head, from the first use of the badge, c. 1876. The crown also relates to the permission given by King Edward VII in 1904 to use the word “Royal” in the force’s name, and to signify that the reigning monarch is the Honorary Commissioner. The bison alludes to the prairie grasslands where the police force performed their first duties, the early members of the police force depending on the animals for food, fuel, and clothing. Royal blue is a colour traditionally associated with police forces.
Motto of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans' Association
Blazon
MAINTIENS LE DROIT;
Symbolism
This French phrase means “uphold the right”, or alternately, “maintain the right” and “defend the law”. In a slightly different form (“Maintien le droit”), this motto was previously used by the Grand Trunk Railway Regiment from c. 1866 to 1881, and later by the North-West Mounted Police.