Custom Canadian Coins

History of the Canadian Police

First formed in 1920, the federal and national police service of Canada drew its roots from two different Canadian police organizations the Royal Northwest Mounted Police and the Dominion Police. These organizations were among the first policing organizations in Canada and many of the current symbols and iconic uniform elements have origins from these predecessor organizations. These organizations were charged with patrolling large swathes of newly gained territory and maintaining law and order within Canada’s borders. During its early days, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police used horses for their mobility while patrolling the Canadian wilderness.

Between 1932 and 1938, the organization grew from a force a little over 1,000 men to 2,350 members overwatching most of Canada including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Today, the force numbers 28,000 members providing essential law enforcement protection to almost the entirety of Canada. Despite tname, the Canadan Police Force is no longer a horse-mounted division and functions much the same as most modern police organizations but taking on a much wider breadth of responsibilities and duties than most of their counterparts in the U.S. or around the world.

To cover all of Canada and provide localized law enforcement to the country, Canadian Police are organized under multiple divisions covering specific geographical areas. These include:

• The National Division - Covering Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau
• The B Division - Covering Newfoundland and Labrador
• The C Division - Covering certain areas of Quebec
• The D Division - Covering Manitoba
• The E Division - Covering British Columbia
• The F Division - Covering Saskatchewan
• The G Division - Covering the Northwest Territories
• The H Division - Covering Nova Scotia
• The J Division - Covering New Brunswick
• The K Division - Covering Alberta
• The L Division - Covering Prince Edward Island
• The M Division - Covering Yukon
• The O Division - Covering Ontario
• The V Division - Covering Nunavut Territory

Under these divisions, most Canadians will work with local detachments, located in most major population centers. 

Challenge Coins for Canadian Police Leadership

The challenge coin tradition is a tradition adopted from U.S. militaries where they are commonly found in virtually every military and law enforcement organization. Unique challenge coins representing specific units of military organizations or law enforcement teams are a common facet but one of the most prized types of challenge coins are known as “commander coins.” These special challenge coins are commissioned by commanding officers and department chiefs to be given out to specific individuals or law enforcement members under them that have personally earned the respect or performed a great service.

Like their counterparts in the U.S. local departments or units within the Canadian Police commission unique challenge coins to represent their organization and mark outstanding officers in the organization. Some coins are given to officers who go beyond the call of duty in completing their responsibilities, other coins are devised as unit tokens for an entire group or team, and the organization also commissions challenge coins to commemorate events such as anniversaries or local holidays.

These coins are unique in that they most often feature unofficial emblems, mottos, and mascots that are not part of the official regalia. All coins depicting official RCMP emblems and seals must first be approved by the RCMP Foundation. (No endorsement is stated or implied).

• The Commissioner - Overall leader and commander as an organization
• TThe Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing - In charge of Federal and International Operations involving the force itself well as both Protective Policing and National Security Crime Investigations.
• The Deputy Commissioner of Contract and Aboriginal Policing - In control of the Criminal Intelligence Directorate.
• The Deputy Commissioner of Specialized Policing Services - In charge of specialized police programs including the Canadian Firearms Program, Canadian Police Academy, and Technical Operations.

Other ranks below the overall leadership may also maintain their own challenge coins to honor the members who serve under them including:

• Assistant Commissioners 
• Chief Superintendents
• Inspectors
• The Corps Sergeant Major
• Sergeant Majors
• Staff Sergeant Majors
• Staff Sergeants

From May to July of 2016, a wildfire raged in Alberta Canada. While the blaze did a record amount of damage and displaced a number of citizens, the outcome could have been far worse without the intervention of Canadian firefighters and soldiers. When the people needed, agencies such as the Canadian Armed Forces and provincial agencies banded together to render aid and keep the situation under control. Everyone working during the blaze earned their right to custom Canadian challenge coins. 

Canadian firefighting agencies making use of custom challenge coins include:

• Toronto Fire Services
• Service de sécurité incendie de l'agglomération de Longueuil
• Canadian Forces Fire and Emergency Services
• The Ontario Fire College
• Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
• Service de protection contre les incendies de Québec
• Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service
• Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services

Celebrating your valued first responders is as simple as giving us a call and letting our artists know what sorts of designs you’d like to utilize on your custom Canada challenge coins. If you’re not the most artistic, don’t worry, the team at Signature Coins has created challenge coins based off of nothing more than explanations and rough sketches on napkins. If you can dream it, we’re certain we can create it. 

Signature Coins Spans From Sea to Sea

Signature Coins has been making custom challenge coins for over 15 years. We strive to be the best in quality and customer satisfaction in the entire challenge coins industry. We do this by offering competitive pricing, using the best available material, and training a friendly staff that can help you through the whole process. You can also expect to receive:

• Free artwork on every order
• Free quotes on every order
• Free unlimited revisions on design
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us. We would be happy to assist you! Thank you for choosing signature coins and we look forward to working with you!

Ready To Get Started?

When you are ready to proceed, use the convenient Order Form on our site to place your challenge coin order.