Corporal (Retired)
Reg. #43390
December 28, 1966 – August 19, 2025
Years of Service: 1991 – 2016
Postings: Depot, “K” and “E” Divisions
Catherine “Cate” Galliford passed on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 in Kamloops, B.C., at the age of 58 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Catherine was a native of British Columbia and grew up in the Vancouver area. Initially a journalist by profession, Catherine worked at CKEK Radio in Cranbrook, and later CKPG Television in Prince George, B.C., prior to joining the RCMP. Catherine joined the RCMP in March 1991 as a member of Troop 27. She graduated in August 1991. Following recruit training, Catherine was first posted to “K” Division, Vegreville Detachment. She was subsequently transferred to “E” Division, North Vancouver Detachment. While serving there, Catherine was awarded a Commanding Officer’s Commendation for bravery, for her role in rescuing the occupants of a submerged vehicle that had left the roadway and ended up in a body of water. Catherine was subsequently posted to Richmond Detachment. She was assigned to the Missing Women’s Task Force (Evenhanded), and to the Air India Task Force where she served as Media Relations Officer; a highly demanding role that she performed with integrity and dedication.
In 2004, Catherine publicly came forward and disclosed that she had been subject of intense sexual harassment throughout her career with the Force. She filed a lawsuit in 2012 and a private settlement was reached in 2016.
Catherine’s courage in coming forward and declaring the harassment she worked under, and the devastating impact it had upon her person, inspired other women in the Force to tell their own stories. Litigation filed against RCMP in 2012 and 2015 by women members of the RCMP were combined into the Merlo-Davidson class action law suit resulting in an historic settlement in 2017. In all, 3,086 claims were received, 644 interviews were conducted, and 2,304 claimants were awarded compensation. Claims were received from all provinces and territories and across all ranks and ages. In responding to the settlement, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and her senior management team acknowledged the devastating impacts caused by experiences of harassment and discrimination in the workplace, and the courage it took for women to come forward and disclose their experiences.
Catherine Galliford’s selfless act of courage was the spark that inspired other brave women members of the Force – Janet Merlo, Linda Davidson and others, to come forward. This gave hope and voice to the thousands of women who stepped forward themselves, shared their own stories and had their experiences acknowledged and validated.
A celebration of Catherine’s life is being planned to take place in the Lower Mainland at a future date.
Remembered with respect and gratitude for her service.
No obituary nor information on a Celebration of Life is currently available online.
