Courage in Red

Courage in Red
Courage in Red promotional poster
Format	Reality Documentary
Written by	Marie-Josée Houle Laurie-Anne Smith Katie Tallo Matt West
Directed by	Colin McKeown Marie-Josée Houle Laurie-Anne Smith Katie Tallo Matt West
Country of origin	Canada
Language(s)	English French
No. of episodes	13
Production
Executive producer(s)	Colin McKeown
Producer(s)	Jessica Webb
Editor(s)	Matt West
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	JenCor Entertainment
Broadcast
Original channel	OLN
Original airing	November 1, 2009
External links
Website

Courage in Red is a 13 part television documentary that details many aspects of crime that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police must contend with on a daily basis. Each 30 minute episode focuses on a certain aspect of the RCMP such as training at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division in Regina, frontline police work, the Emergency Response Team, canine unit, and VIP protection among others^[1].

The show aired on OLN from November 1 to December 13, 2009 and aired on SCN from February 23 to May 21, 2010^[2].

Episodes

Episode	Description
1 - Summit	With 66 countries in attendance, the Summit Francophone hosted the largest deployment of foreign dignitaries in Canadian history. With big crowds come big risks: biological, chemical and explosive threats are just a few of the many scenarios that the RCMP must prepare for. Security must be air-tight. With the Vancouver Olympics approaching, the stakes are high for Supt. Jacques Tanguay's last mission. The summit will also provide Jacques with his first and only opportunity to have his son under his command- an emotional experience.
2 - VIP Training	When a dignitary visits Canada their safety is the ultimate responsibility of the RCMP. Cpl Bill Demeau is the head instructor for the National V.I.P. course, it's his job to make sure that those training to join don't forget it. The training is tough, intense, merciless, it has to be. These Mounties must be prepared for any situation, to put their lives on the line...even take a bullet.
3 - Customs and Excise	On any given night, if you are listening, you will hear gun-fire in Cornwall. These are warning shots from brazen smugglers, telling the people of the community that they mean business. Everyone is fearful except for the RCMPs Sgt. Michael Harvey and his team. They're ready for these criminals and make a daily job of standing in their way.
4 - Depot	Since 1885 every RCMP officer in Canada has gone through Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan. It is an incredibly grueling program that teaches respect, honor and discipline. Kevin Marion is 24 years old and will be going to Depot to realize his goal of becoming a Mountie. With hard work and a bit of luck, his father Al, a 28-year RCMP veteran will present him with his badge at the end of the 24-week program. But sometimes wanting it doesnt always mean you get it.
5 - Remote Policing	One of the most unique things about the RCMP is that they serve very remote, northern communities. This sets them apart from any other policing service in Canada. The remote experience is one that is all about commitment and extremes - extremes in temperatures, culture and working conditions. For some it's just a job, but for others, it becomes their way of life.
6 - ERT	The Emergency Response Team is a group of highly-trained RCMP members capable of employing specialized weapons, equipment, and tactics to resolve extremely high-risk situations. For the first time cameras have been allowed to record some of these tactical procedures and scenarios. From boarding vessels in the Pacific Ocean at high speeds to rescue operations for a hostage in a remote part of Manitoba, this is a glimpse into what ERT does on a daily basis.
7 - Peace Ops	In the 21st century, crime no longer respects borders. Under the RCMPs International Peace Operations Branch, Canadian Police Officers are serving on peace missions in a dozen countries around the world. A new contingent of Canadian officers has just landed in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. There they will be faced with extreme poverty, heat and civil unrest.
8 - West Coast Marine	There is no such thing as a typical day for the West Coast Marine Service, the force policing the coastline from Washington to Alaska. This episode follows a crew of the RCMPs specialized boat cops as they patrol the coast and deal with the intense and often bizarre situations they run into on a daily basis. From rescues at sea to stopping crime, this unit does it all.
9 - Frontline Policing	Frontline policing is the heart and soul of what the RCMP does every day and every night. From their home bases in over 750 detachments, they hit the streets in cruisers or on foot in an effort to maintain peace and order across the country. Round the clock, meet the officers who call the streets their home.
10 - SAFE	In recent years high school and university shootings have become a sad reality. Kids are getting killed. Parents want their kids to be safe at school and the RCMP is responding. They've developed a comprehensive strategy known as SAFE. When seconds can cost lives, this new plan provides crucial information to Mounties as they arrive on scene.
11 - K9	For a police dog and his handler every day on the job is different, unpredictable and guaranteed to be interesting. This episode takes us to the West coast where we get to follow an experienced team on their patrols, get an intimate view of the relationship between dog and handler, and witness the unique situations they encounter every day. We also visit the Police Dog Services Training Centre in Alberta where these canine heroes are bred and trained.
12 - Clan Labs	Meth and Ecstasy; two of the most popular and dangerous synthetic drugs on the planet. It's a deadly billion-dollar industry in Canada and it's linked to gangs and organized crime. These drugs devastate communities and destroy lives. Watch as the RCMP locates, targets and takes down the Clan Labs that are destroying our countrys future.
13 - Youth Programs	Police officers are in a unique position to play an important role in the lives of youth. Constables Lois Cormier and Earl Woods are devoted to working with youth and making a huge difference in their communities. Lois is a Community Relations Officer in Thompson, Manitoba, working to stem gang violence and chronic drug abuse. Earl Woods is a School Resource Officer in Souris, PEI. His influence has been profound in reducing youth crime in his community. Whether it's dealing with victims, offenders, parents or advisors, these exceptional stories of dedication reflect the RCMPs desire to connect with and relate to youth.

Crew

Colin McKeown

Executive Producer & Director

Colin McKeown served for 20 years as a Canadian Naval officer and has lengthy experience in both peacekeeping and joint warfare operations. After leaving the military he became a TV producer, and is responsible for documentary series such as Truth Duty Valour and The New Fly Fisher. He is Executive Producer of the new highly anticipated series Courage in Red and the military series Combat Forces. Colin earned Honors degrees in both History and Political Science at Dalhousie University.

Jessica Webb

Producer

Jessica was born and raised in the Ottawa area, attended Carleton University for Political Science and graduated from Algonquin College’s Television Broadcasting program. Following graduation she became the Production Manager for the successful fourth season of Truth Duty Valour seen on the Outdoor Life Network. She is now the Producer of the ground-breaking documentary series Courage In Red which gives Canadians unprecedented access into the inner workings of the RCMP.

Marie-Josée Houle

Director/Writer

Marie-Josée has an honours BA in Communication as well as a BA in Theatre from the University of Ottawa. She has worked for several years as a freelancer in the television and media industries, most notably as a Director and Writer for three episodes of Truth Duty Valour. Outside of the JenCor family she has had the opportunity to work as Script Supervisor on a French drama for pre-teens, travel to Mexico while working as Coordinator on a wedding show, work for the New Media department at Radio-Canada, as well as other media relations branches of the federal government. She has a notable theatrical background having studied acting and theatre since the age of 12.

Laurie-Anne Smith

Director/Writer

Laurie-Anne worked on the popular military show Truth Duty Valour for four seasons as Writer and Director. She has also produced and co-hosted shows for various media outlets including The Discovery Channel, Rogers Sportsnet and CTV. LA holds an honours Bachelors degree in Journalism, and has practiced print, radio and broadcast journalism. In her spare time she works on screenplays, and documentaries about world issues.

Katie Tallo

Director/Writer

Katie is a graduate of Carleton University and Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. She holds a BA in Film and English and a Diploma in Television Broadcasting. Katie owned her own production company for over a decade where she was an award-winning Producer, Writer and Director of more than fifty half-hours of network television. Highlights include writing and directing four national TV series and two movies. Katie has won support from The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council and Telefilm Canada. Her work has screened at film festivals around the world and received international distribution. Since 2005, Katie has been freelance directing for numerous independent producers, as well as consulting for government and private sector clients on media, marketing and communications. Katie joined the Truth Duty Valour team in the spring of 2007 and directed six episodes over two successful seasons.

Matt West

Director/Writer/Editor

Matt has directed and edited over 400 episodes of television seen in over 80 countries, including the Gemini nominated Great Canadian Food Show, Cook Like a Chef and an unprecedented 104 episodes of License to Grill. After a season of Design U, Matt directed the smash hit Junk Brothers and directed the first season of Dig In for HGTV US. His latest short The Funeral... Again has won acclaim from Hollywood’s Dances With Films festival, the Strasbourg International Film Festival and won “Best Canadian Short Film” from the Prince Edward Island International Film Festival.

References

1. ^ Episodes
2. ^ When to Watch