Latest news with #MikeLokken
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘A sense of pride': RCMP's traditional Sunset Ceremony held at Depot Division
The final Sunset Ceremony of the year was held at RCMP's Depot Division on July 22, 2025. (GarethDillistone/CTVNews) The final Sunset Ceremony of the year was held at RCMP Depot Division Tuesday night and the event starting off with a bang. Two RCMP cannons were loaded and fired along with a field gun from Fort Walsh in southwest Saskatchewan. The Sunset Ceremony is an RCMP tradition that dates back more than 60 years. The marching band plays while cadets perform dismounted cavalry maneuvers. And while the force is always modernizing and upgrading its technology, they feel it's important to hold onto their heritage. The event attracts hundreds of tourists, local residents and usually some retired RCMP veterans that reminisce their younger days. 'I know that it is very important to them. Depot is kind of the heart of the organization,' Chief Supt. of RCMP Depot Division, Mike Lokken said. 'This is where everybody starts their training and then are scattered all across Canada. So, this is like home to them. When they come here for one of the ceremonies, to see the traditions, I think it refuels their Mountie soul, gives even citizens that have never been here a sense of pride,' he added. The lowering of the Canadian flag is a part of every Sunset Ceremony. Cadets treat the flag with respect as they fold it and march it off the parade square.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
RCMP Depot welcomes new pint-sized commanding officers
WATCH: On Tuesday, two girls who have battled cancer were treated to the ultimate RCMP experience in Regina. WATCH: On Tuesday, two girls who have battled cancer were treated to the ultimate RCMP experience in Regina. The RCMP training academy in Regina welcomed a duo of new commanding officers Tuesday. Two 10-year-old girls were 'in charge' of RCMP Depot Division for the day. Janine and Tessa were all decked out in their new red serge uniforms as they took an extensive tour of the facility. The program is part of the 'Kids with Cancer Society.' Both Janine and Tessa have battled cancer in the past. The two were treated to the ultimate RCMP experience, including a flight to Regina on an RCMP aircraft. The pair ate breakfast with the cadets in the Depot's mess hall, flew a police drone, and were fitted with custom-made uniforms, that they get to keep. 'Immediately, they went to the tailor shop and they were fitted for the red serge's that you saw and our tailor shop just put those together in just a few hours for a graduation banquet last night,' Chief Supt. Mike Lokken told CTV News. 'They attended the banquet with the commissioner of the RCMP and secretary of state for Canada along with some other dignitaries. They sat at the head table, and they enjoyed that.' Janine was happy to reflect on the experience. 'I thought the band was really good,' she noted. 'The cadets, they sort of looked like a bit tired and like they weren't smiling.' The pair of co-commanders were taught how to march and salute – and put their newfound authority to the test by issuing orders to one of Depot's drill sergeants.
