Tom Hitchcock, 1895 – 1899

Tom Hitchcock served as Regina’s town constable for four years, carrying out police duties, as well as acting as a general utility man.

(credit:  Regina: Queen city of the plains. Western Printers Ass’n Ltd. Regina, SK, 1953.)

 

Neil McInnis, 1899 – 1903

Regina’s third town constable, Neil McInnis was the first officer to use the “paddy wagon” for hauling criminals off to jail.  Not a car though, a wheelbarrow!  The duties of the position expanded to include dog catching, umpiring at baseball games, and fire-fighting, and McInnis also added in other law enforcement equipment, including a revolver, nightstick, and handcuffs.  After his time as constable ended, McInnis later became the Assistant Chief of the fire department.

(credit:  Argan, William. Regina: the first 100 years. Regina: Leader-Post Carrier Foundation, 2002.
            Regina: Queen city of the plains. Western Printers Ass’n Ltd. Regina, SK, 1953.
            Off the Cuff.  Regina City Police. 1963.
            Henderson’s Regina Directory, 1910.)

 

Reuben J. Harwood, 1903 – 1909

When Regina was incorporated in 1903, the police force was born.  Reuben J. Harwood became the first Chief Constable of the city, with 3 officers working under him.  Harwood saw an incredible change in Regina during his stint as chief, as the city grew from only 2,220 people in 1901 to over 30,000 by 1911.  Upon his resignation from the police force, Harwood went on to work for the Union Collecting and Employment Agency.

(credit:  Argan, William. Regina: the first 100 years. Regina: Leader-Post Carrier Foundation, 2002.
            Regina: Queen city of the plains. Western Printers Ass’n Ltd. Regina, SK, 1953.
            Henderson’s Regina Directory, 1910.)

 

Theodore Zeats, 1909 – 1914

Theodore Zeats arrived from Scotland to become Regina’s next police chief in 1909 and was immediately swamped with issues relating to with the two major vices of that time: illegal liquor (and drunkenness) and prostitution.  Indeed, even before there were churches in the city, there were already several brothels in operation, centering in the area of town which we now know as the Heritage neighbourhood.  Zeats focused his crime fighting efforts initially on the drunkenness issue and tried to ignore the rising concern over prostitution.  But, as we know, ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away, and, in 1914, after facing the prospect of a city hall review of the police department and its handling of the “prostitution problem”, Zeats called it quits as chief.  Still interested in policing, however, Zeats moved to Yorkton and became their town constable. His legacy in Regina includes introducing the “modern techniques” of fingerprinting and photography.

(credit:  Keepers of the Law, Regina and District Old Time’s Association, 2005.
           Regina: Queen City of the plains. Western Printers Ass’n Ltd. Regina, SK, 1953.)

 

E.G. Berry, 1914 – 1915

E.G. Berry was sworn in as Regina’s next chief on May 1, 1914, having previously served as a Sergeant with the London Metropolitan Police, and presided over a force of 45 men.  However, after a significant crime surge, Berry also decided, like his predecessor, that he was just not cut out for the stressful position of Chief of Police and resigned in 1915.

(credit:  Keepers of the Law, Regina and District Old Time’s Association, 2005.
            Off the Cuff.  Regina City Police.  1963.
            Regina: Queen city of the plains. Western Printers Ass’n Ltd. Regina, SK, 1953.)