Jee SHOULDER STRAP OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL POLICE Yo. 20 December, 1949 Published -Semi-Annually ZS ce SPSL JE alilors ; Page This ts the Twentieth Edition of our magazine, and the second since we resumed publication after an interval of a year and a half. We were very pleased and encoutr- aged with the many expressions of appreciation and ap- proval received on the contents of the Nineteenth Edition. To those who sent us letters, “Thank you, and be assured that your comment will help us in serving you better with each succeeding number.’ Our readers will appreciate that encouragement is the lifeblood of any publication, and that constructive criticism is necessary to the production of a magazine. This ts your magazine and we intend to maintain tts high standard. But unless you express your likes and dislikes we will be unable to give you the maximum satisfaction to which we feel you are entitled. Indifference will kill the best intentioned task, so we must ask you to let us know the type of story or article you prefer reading. Brickbats or bouquets, let us hear from you. When you finish this tssue, won't you drop us a letter, or even a postcard? Of widespread distribution, copies of the last issue were circulated in England, the United States, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, several South American countries, and many of the colonies of the British Empire. We regret the Nineteenth Edition was not ready to mail at date of publication. While bearing publication date of “June, 1949,” the magazine was not mailed till the end of August. This was unavoidable. Due to circumstances beyond our control, such as the remodeling of the printers premises, transfer of editorial offices from Vancouver to Victoria, and a little slowness on the part of contributors in furnishing suitable material for pub- lication, we were delayed. All this is now behind us and we hope that each issue hereafter will be out on or before the announced date. May we also take this opportunity of thanking the contributors of stories and articles appearing in the last Headquarters Building, B.C. Provincial Police issue, for their assistance in making the magazine pos- sible. Without their help, our readers could not be given the true perspective of the work and activities of our Force. Shyness and innate modesty frequently prevents individual members of the Force from contributing a story about their own exploits. However, the public are entitled to know something of the activities of the men who make up the British Columbia Provincial Police. Their work, like the candle, should not be hidden under the barrel of modesty. Many an act of valor or endurance lies behind the cold routine reports “submitted through the regular channels.” While the story can best be told by the one having an intimate knowledge of the facts, the lack of writing ability ts frequently offered as an excuse for not contributing. But, if the facts are sent tn to the Editorial Office, staff writers will prepare the material for publication. We would also be happy to hear from other law- enforcement agencies, so that the publication of mutually interesting stories will promote harmony and co-opera- tion in our joint work of public service. In concluding this editorial, may we thank the many advertisers who have made this publication possible. It is not maintained at public expense, all production costs being met from the revenue obtained through advertising and subscriptions. We offer our sincere thanks for their continued sup- port and assistance, to Commissioner John Shirras, and Deputy Commissioner R. Peachey, M.C., without whose complete co-operation and understanding our task would be impossible. We leave you now to enjoy the many good stories and articles which you will find between these covers. THE EDITORS. SS TWENTIETH EDITION Page One .