North West Mounted Police
The North-West Mounted Police was a paramilitary police forceestablished in 1873 to maintain law and order, and to be a visible symbol of Canadian sovereignty, in the newly acquired North-West Territories (including present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan). The NWMP helped Indians make the transition to INDIAN RESERVES after treaties were signed and assisted incoming settlers. "Royal" was added to its name in 1904, and in 1920 the RN WMP merged with theDOMINION POLICE to form the ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE.