William J. S. Elliott, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Sun Media Editorial) – Last week, the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP issued a report on the subject of police investigating police.
There was significant media coverage, some of it inaccurately suggesting the RCMP rejected the report.
In fact, the RCMP welcomes the Commission report and finds a great deal positive in it. We note it concludes that RMCP investigators’ conduct was appropriate, professional and free of bias in 100% of the investigations reviewed. It says our officers complied with applicable policies and completed investigations in a timely manner.
The RCMP has always supported and participated in having others investigate our officers where there is a regime in place to do so. For example, in Alberta, the RCMP looks to the Alberta Serious Incident Investigation Team to conduct investigations. In Manitoba, we are supporting the establishment of a similar regime. In fact, the RCMP would prefer if we never had to investigate our own members.
Clearly, improvements need to be made.
The Commission pointed to a lack of national standards for investigations across the country. We are committed to implementing enhanced policies and procedures in areas within the RCMP’s control, and are developing a national policy that will address a number of the Commission’s concerns. It must be recognized, however, that some things are beyond our control.
The RCMP is committed to working with governments at all levels to address these broader issues, including the potential establishment of independent agencies to conduct investigations.
While having others investigate the RCMP is ideal, it is not always possible in jurisdictions where no formal mechanism has been set up to do so.
Sometimes it is difficult to find another police department willing and able to spare officers to conduct investigations outside of their core mandates and areas of operation.
In some of the remote parts of Canada, it can take a day, or several days, to fly in officers from elsewhere, even when it is possible to identify an available team from another police force. Where no one else is available, the RCMP is obligated to act.
As I have often stated publicly, the RCMP is supportive of enhanced independent oversight and review and we look forward to the government bringing forward legislation to achieve this.
We believe that the more credible independent oversight and review of the RCMP is, the more credible the force can be. As independently confirmed by the RCMP Reform Implementation Council, the RCMP is also very seriously committed and very seriously engaged in bringing about positive change in the RCMP in a broad range of areas.
This is not being defensive as has been suggested. It is proactively striving to improve the RCMP and to live up to the highest standards Canadians rightly expect of us.
I agree with your final suggestion and do believe that both the police members and the public will be better served when such a trusted credible mechanism is in place.
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It does not really matter what is said or who “ghost” writes a piece. The naysayers, supporters, and professional critics, will find fodder in any written word, and are willing to bend any phraseology in their chosen direction.
Instead of the examination of the excruciating minutiae, the focus should be on the broad problem fundamentals. Such as the head of the RCMP being part of the government. A redefined and independent oversight mechanism, with sufficient resources to give credibility.
Once you have established that, the rest of the chain can be taken on one link at a time, and be refurbished if needed.
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Somewhat different than his complaint written to the Globe & Mail. I guess the inaccurate media coverage helped his ghost writer reframe the arguments.
Should we judge his sincerity on this or the other version?
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