The story behind unit numbers 1333 & 36742
As you’re driving down the highway you may notice that most commercial vehicles have unit numbers. You’ll see semis, buses and many other vehicles with all sorts of unit numbers, many of which are generic numbers with little significance. When Compass Coach Lines took delivery of their first two motor coaches, they too were required to have unit numbers displayed on either vehicle. So the question was asked… What are the unit numbers going to be?
This family-owned and operated bus company began operations in September 2020, and the launch of this new venture was only possible with the support of family. Both the Connors' (Jen's parents) and the Anning’s (David’s parents) were instrumental in helping get Compass Coach Lines on the road. From support to ideas to many hours helping get the operation up and running, they have been involved throughout the dream phase, the planning phase, the unveiling and the eventual opening. So when it came time to give the first two motor coaches of the fleet numbers, it was something that had been decided months prior.
Both Scott Connors and Daryl Anning are retired police officers and Jen, David and their entire family are very proud of their service and contributions to the communities they have served throughout their many years on the job. So it was decided that the new motor coaches would be numbered 1333 in honour of Daryl’s badge number while a member of the Winnipeg Police Service and 36742 in honour of Scott’s badge number while a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Scott was born in southern Saskatchewan and spent his early years there before moving to Arizona. He and his family would eventually return to Saskatchewan and Scott would then make his way to the RCMP Academy (Depot Division) in Regina at the age of 21 to begin his training to become a police officer.
Daryl was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. He has lived in Winnipeg his entire life with the
exception of a brief stint he spent in Flin Flon, MB while playing junior hockey. He played junior hockey in the WCHL (now Western Hockey League) and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League before heading to the University of Manitoba to join the Bisons. Daryl majored in Criminology and began training with the Winnipeg Police Service following graduation at the age of 25.
Following the completion of his training in Regina, Scott's first posting took him east to Manitoba in 1980. He would be posted in various communities throughout the province during his career and would spend his final two years with the force in Alberta. He took on many different roles over his 25 year career and retired from the RCMP in 2005 as a Sergeant.
Daryl started his career in 1982 and worked for the WPS for over 30 years. He worked in numerous divisions and units throughout his career, including spending time in both General Patrol (uniform divisions) and plain-clothes divisions. The majority of his time was spent in various investigation units, including Youth Division, Sex Crimes, Crimestoppers and many Divisional Crime Units, including being in charge of the downtown area. His final position prior to retirement was the head of the District 6 Crime Unit, where he held the rank of Sergeant.
Scott and his wife Dianne would return to Manitoba following Scott’s retirement in 2005. However his retirement wouldn’t last very long, as he began working for the Province of Manitoba. He would retire from that position after 10 years with the Province. He is currently semi-retired, as he has joined the Compass team as a driver among various other roles that ensure the success of the company.
Daryl would also return to the workforce following his retirement from WPS, as he became the Investigator at the University of Manitoba Security Services Department. He would spend two and half years in that role before moving on. Throughout his time as a police officer and while at the U of M he was also heavily involved in hockey. He spent 20 years in the WHL as a regional and travelling scout, which included winning a WHL Championship. Following that victory he joined the Vancouver Giants as the Director of Scouting and he remains in that role today. He was also the Head Scout for the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for many years.
Daryl is proud of his work in policing and has many fond memories of his time on the force. “This career was very fulfilling and satisfying,” he explains. “I felt a sense of accomplishment after having success with an investigation or assisting someone in the city to rectify a problem situation. Because Winnipeg has been my home for my entire life, I feel a sense of pride when it comes to my career with the Winnipeg Police Service.” Scott echoes those sentiments as he reflects on his time with the RCMP.
For Jen and David, seeing the reactions of Scott and Daryl when the unit numbers were unveiled was quite special. “They both checked out the new decals and logos on the buses and then they both did a double-take,” explains Jen. “I think it took them a second or two to realize the significance of the unit numbers. I can tell you that they were both very surprised and we could tell it really meant something to both of them. It's definitely important and meaningful to us.”
