Exploring Theme: "Systemic Racism in RCMP"

The government should review the BC Prosecution Service’s decisions in police cases, says investigation office head Ron MacDonald. The Tyee: The head of B.C.’s police watchdog wants the government to review the BC Prosecution Service’s handling of his office’s recommendations for criminal charges against officers. Ron MacDonald, the Independent Investigations Office of BC chief civilian...

86% of complaints reviewed so far from Fairy Creek protests have been dismissed by the force NationTalk: CBC News – Catherine McClarty still has nightmares about her arrest two years ago during an anti-logging protest on Vancouver Island and her experience with a controversial RCMP unit that’s been accused of improper use of force, neglect...

RCMP characterize driver and passenger, both women, as the aggressors CBC News: A Red Deer lawyer says she and her friend were beaten by an RCMP officer this past weekend after they were pulled over in a central Alberta town. Defence lawyer Laura Phypers, 37, suffered a concussion and broken nose after she was punched at least...

The symbol of the Canadian frontier is tarnished as it celebrates latest milestone CBC News: Jean Teillet remembers the day she and a couple of friends planned to snag the rope that hanged Louis Riel from its display in Toronto’s fake castle, Casa Loma.  “We were going to liberate the rope that the Royal Canadian...

The Mounties are struggling to recruit and retain Indigenous members Stephanie Taylor · The Canadian Press · Posted: May 22, 2023 12:52 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 22 CBC News: Canadian Press – Dean Gladue says he never experienced racism until joining the RCMP. The 26-year veteran began his career with the force in 1989 as special constable,...

An RCMP unit under investigation by a federal commissioner will receive 15 per cent of the funding promised for safer communities. The Tyee: A portion of the $230 million promised last fall by the BC NDP to bolster rural police detachments and make communities safer is earmarked for a controversial RCMP unit tasked with policing...

Terms of reference in Community-Industry Response Group ‘systemic investigation’ announced CBC News: The RCMP’s federal watchdog agency is opening a probe into the activities and operations of the Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG), a special unit that polices protests against resource extraction in British Columbia. The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC), which receives and oversees...

Province launching ‘out-of-jurisdiction’ investigation into allegations report says went largely ignored CBC News: The provincial government has ordered an external investigation after an independent report found the RCMP failed to properly investigate what one officer described as potentially “egregious” allegations that Mounties had abused and harassed Indigenous girls in Prince George, B.C., decades ago. A statement on Thursday confirmed the...

The RCMP told the Star previously that more than 50 per cent of its workforce had taken the course; it turns out the actual number is 51.6 per cent. Toronto Star: More than a year after committing to have each RCMP officer and employee take anti-racism training, the Mounties have revealed the full extent of...

4 of the 5 officers remain on active duty, according to RCMP CBC News: Two RCMP officers in Prince George, B.C., have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the 2017 death of an Indigenous man, Crown prosecutors announced Wednesday. Another three have been charged with attempting to obstruct justice related to the events immediately...

The 3-hour online course “Uniting Against Racism” was introduced as part of the Vision 150 program brought in by Brenda Lucki when she took over. Toronto Star: The Mounties have acknowledged their ongoing problems with systemic racism and discrimination. They have touted their action plan for dealing with those problems. But the RCMP has, so...

That the Mounties have a systemic problem with racism and harassment is not in question. What’s less clear is what’s being done about it. Toronto Star: This is the second part in a special Star series looking at Canada’s national police force and what some say are the existential challenges it is facing.  For three...

The officer, now retired, previously denied any misconduct. He did not respond to the Star’s questions about the alleged tapes. Toronto Star: RCMP Const. Lisa Mackenzie was on patrol in her squad car in Kamloops, B.C., when she got a call from her watch supervisor. He said her ex-husband, fellow RCMP Const. Joseph Kohut, had...

Canadian Press – A lawsuit alleging RCMP systematically brutalized Indigenous people in Northern Canada can proceed as a class action despite objections from the government, Federal Court ruled on Wednesday. In her decision, Judge Glennys McVeigh rejected the government’s arguments that the proposed suit failed to meet the legal grounds for certification although individuals could...

Toronto Star – A mandatory online training program called “Cultural Awareness and Humility” that was rolled our last fall for all RCMP members and touted by the commissioner as an example of the force’s efforts to modernize misses the mark on many levels according to experts who have reviewed the program for the Star, including:...

NationTalk – RCMP reconciliation efforts aim to improve community safety and well-being, to enhance investigative standards, and to deliver the highest quality policing services. Efforts are also implemented within the organization to support the over 1,900 Indigenous employees of the RCMP and to inspire a culturally engaged, trauma-informed workforce....

Vision150 is our plan to modernize the RCMP. Our vision responds to the expectations set out in the Commissioner’s 2018 mandate letter and forms the core of our strategic direction. Vision 150 Tracker tracks progress on four themes: People, Culture, Stewardship and Policing Culture. Tracking Progress for Policing Services: All the following are ON TRACK...

Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations listed the following expectations First Nations chiefs have of the federal government in the wake of multiple incidents across Canada where Indigenous peoples were put at risk due to the actions and inactions of the RCMP. Civilian oversight with genuine disciplinary powers The Minister of...