Just the other day a kindly gentleman looked at my duty belt and asked,

“You guys got guns? When did you get that?”

I answered, “Ten years ago. We started getting sidearms in 1998.”

Maybe he didn’t hear me because he said, “It’s about time. You should’ve had them a long time ago.”

It was the spring of 1998 when our in house firearm instructors went to the RCMP Training Depot to become certified Basic Firearm Instructors. This meant that Manitoba NROs were finally receiving sidearms after 14 years of lobbying the provincial government.

Our instructors tested many makes, models and calibers. Their experience and research resulted in the selection of the 40 caliber Glock 22. These were semi-automatic pistols and as good a defensive firearm as existed at the time. It is still the sidearm of choice for many resource law enforcement agencies.

The first class was trained in June; followed by another in July and a third class in the fall of 1998. Approximately 60 NROs or half the contingent were now trained and equipped with a sidearm.

Since the issuance of this most practical of defensive firearms, NROs have received “countless” positive comments from the general public. The support has been overwhelmingly in favour of NROs carrying sidearms.

The MNROA thanks all the members who contributed to the process of convincing the Province of Manitoba to issue sidearms to NROs. It was a long, hard battle! Of primary importance was the role played by the following Past Presidents. They are Craig Asselstine, Al Meyers, Doug Maxwell, Luke Peloquin, André Desrosiers, Don Jacobs, John Rodgers and Jim Kamann. The author apologizes if any were missed. The Association also thanks the Government of the day and the Manitoba Government Employees Union for their support in resolving the sidearm issue.

As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of sidearm issuance to Natural Resource Officers we must remain vigilant to our commitment of optimizing safety for all Resource Officers.