On July 3, 1961, Ian Parsons reported to RCMP Depot Division in Regina as a raw recruit. It was the beginning of a 33-year adventure that took him from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and many points between. By the time he retired with the rank of inspector, Parsons had a policeman’s trunk full of colourful stories and insightful observations that he now shares in this memoir.

Parsons writes candidly of his many roles within the RCMP, from postings in rural detachments, where he dealt with diverse policing issues, to stints teaching at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa and at the RCMP Academy in Regina. Always an independent thinker, Parsons lectured sometimes-resistant RCMP senior officers on the adoption of new ways and helped introduce programs to modernize recruit training and make it more relevant to the demands of a rapidly changing Canadian society.

In recent years, Parsons has observed the troubled state and tarnished reputation of his beloved force as it faces crisis after crisis. Against the entertaining backdrop of his life in red serge, he gives a thoughtful assessment of things gone wrong in the iconic institution and identifies the drastic steps necessary to save it.

Ian Parsons was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan. Formally trained as a musician, he joined the Lord Strathcona’s Horse Regimental Band in Calgary, Alberta, and in 1961 he enlisted with the RCMP. During his 33 years with the force, he served in many capacities, including as an academic instructor, researcher and management trainer. As an inspector, he coordinated complex policing entities. He has worked in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Newfoundland, Manitoba and BC. Ian has a BA from Carleton University, majoring in psychology and law, and holds certificates in general and advanced police studies from the Canadian Police College. He lives in Courtenay, BC.

Ian Parsons' profile page

"Parsons is refreshingly passionate about the complicity of the RCMP in the oppression of First Nations people, a rare occurrence in Mountie literature." —Bonnie Reilly Schmidt, BCStudies

“I can only imagine a few people who could share the experiences as well as Ian Parsons. No Easy Ride leaves nothing to the imagination about where the force has come from and where it should be going.” —Morley Lymburner, Blue Line magainze

"No Easy Ride is an enjoyable read. It’s a nice blend of humour and poignancy. It will evoke fond and not-so-fond memories for those of us who served in the RCMP, and it will challenge our thinking as to how the RCMP has responded to the problems of modern-day policing. And it should help the reader decide whether or not this very large organization can still see the forest for the trees." —Sgt. Michael Duncan (Rtd.),The Quarterly

“Ian Parson’s highly readable memoir casts an insightful eye on issues in the iconic federal force. His conjecture on the future of the RCMP merits thoughtful consideration by all Canadians.” —Robert F. Lunney, Chief of Police (Ret.), author of Parting Shots

No Easy Ride: Reflections on My Life in the RCMP