Bernie was a member of the Vancouver City Police Force, Traffic Division, which supported the idea of organized car clubs. In 1951, he had been an acquaintance of some young hot rodders and custom car enthusiasts from around Fraser and Kingsway who talked about forming a car club. When the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) was formed in January, 1952, Bernie was there to help them in their efforts to promote a good image to the public. Bernie was made an Honorary member of BCCCA.

Bernie encouraged the BCCCA in their purchase of the first Harger Drunkometer for use by the Vancouver Police Dept. He and police partner Ian McKay provided advice and enter-tainment at club meetings. They team-ed up in a radio show, “Why do they do it?,” based on actual encounters with dangerous drivers.

 In 1960, Bernie attended a Mission City council meeting with BCCCA member Chuck Robinson to seek approval for the building of a drag race facility.

 Bernie served as a Sergeant in Traffic Division until his retirement in

BERNIE SMITH - Inducted 2004

Supporter

by Larry Braine, 2004

Bernie Smith  (Keith Warren collection)

Bernie Smith, 2002

1979. In the late 1950s he had a couple of interesting duties on his police Harley- Davidson motorcycle. One event was as an escort for Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Vancouver, the other was to escort Highways Minister, Phil Gaglardi, in attending the 1958 Pacific International Motorama at the PNE.

During his years in the police force,

Bernie earned the nickname “Whistling Smith”

He later served as a detective Sgt. until retiring from the police force in 1979.

 Bernie then entered politics as President of the Social Credit Party. In the early 1990s he assisted the BCCCA in their efforts to have the Provincial Government live by their promise to rebuild Mission Raceway.

Bernie always had the “gift of the gab” and has been the featured guest speaker and M.C. at car club reunions and other public functions.

In 2004 he wrote, and had publish-ed, a children's book Windy and Spike, the Adventures of Two Friends.

 Bernie is retired, and he and wife, Mary, still reside in the Burnaby home they built 50 years ago.