Executive Council
Justice and Public Safety
September 29, 2015

Safer Communities through Strategic Investments

Premier Participates in Official Opening of Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Memorial Campus

The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today participated in the official opening of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Memorial Campus at Fort Townshend in St. John's. Premier Davis was joined at the event by the Honourable Darin King, Minster of Justice and Public Safety.

"As the nature of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to evolve, the capabilities of our police services must also adapt to respond and make our communities as safe as possible for residents. The RNC Memorial Campus has undergone extensive renovations and will be a key asset for decades to come in training police officers and other law enforcement agencies from this province. There is potential for the new RNC facilities to be used by officers from other areas of Canada as well."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The structure that houses the RNC Memorial Campus is historically significant as it originally housed Memorial College which first opened on September 15, 1925. That institution was a memorial to those who fought and died in World War One. With these renovations, the campus will be used primarily to train police and other law enforcement officers in the province.

"We must ensure that our police officers have the resources and tools required to carry out their duties effectively and safely. The redevelopment of the RNC headquarters, including the Memorial Campus, is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people internal and external to government and is just the latest example of the investments we have made in policing in Newfoundland and Labrador. I commend everyone involved in this important project."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety

The newly redeveloped headquarters was made possible through a Provincial Government investment of approximately $57.6 million. The project includes a secure underground parking structure and firing range, as well as an underground link between the nearby annex and the main headquarters building. The existing gymnasium was converted into office space, and two stories were added to the front of the headquarters. New facilities for female officers have also been added plus a daycare space.

QUICK FACTS:

• Premier Paul Davis participated in the official opening of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Memorial Campus today in St. John's.
• The renovated RNC Memorial Campus will be used to train various law enforcement personnel in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Originally opened in 1925, the structure that houses the RNC Memorial Campus was created as a memorial to those who fought and died in World War One.
• The RNC Memorial Campus is part of the RNC Headquarters which has undergone extensive expansion and renovations through an investment of approximately $57.6 million.

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Luke Joyce Director of Communications Department of Justice and Public Safety 709-729-6985, 725-4165 lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

2015 09 29                              11:30 a.m.