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JOHN SHIRRAS NEW POLICE TBAD

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a a RE = eee of Commissioner IP, W. S. Parsons, Deputy Commissioner John Shirras has been
elevates R ine pos © ommissioner of Provincial Police. The new appointment was effective November 1.
Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Mr. Shirras served with the Scottish county and city police forces before

coming to Western Canada and joining the Nanaimo City Police in 1912. He served overseas with the Canadian
Expeditionary Force (103rd Bn.) and was severely wounded in action at Lens.

After the war he Eejoined the Nanaimo Police Force, eventually to become its head. Upon amalgamation with
the Provincial Force in 1926 Mr. Shirras was posted to Vancouver district headquarters as sergeant-in-charge.

In the years that followed he was successively promoted to staff-sergeant,.deputy-inspector, inspector, and, in
1940, deputy commissioner. p

Tohn Shirras, new B. C. Police Commissioner

During the Second World War Deputy Commissioner Shirras’ services were lent to the B. C. Security Com-
mission, the federally sponsored three-man board charged with the transfer of some 25,000 Japanese nationals
from B. C.’s coastal region to the interior. The giant task was carried out without a hitch.

Widely known for his sterling qualities as an administrator, Mr. Shirras has given the post-war. police prob-
lems close study, and all ranks need no assurance that he, like his predecessor, will fill the office of commissioner
with credit and distinction.

EIGHTEENTH EDITION Page Seven

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