Andre Bigras, Gatineau, Quebec (Ottawa Citizen – Opinion) – Will someone please rise up and stop the bleeding and repair the image of the tattered red serge uniform that so many of us wore with pride?
As a retired staff sergeant with 34 years of service, I can’t sit by the wayside and watch members of our organization attack Commissioner William Elliott whether he merits it or not.
We are supposed to be trained in resolving conflict, yet some RCMP members are creating it. Why do we need to complain at this time about a photograph of Elliott carrying a personal sidearm in April when he was visiting the European Union Police Mission in a combat zone in Afghanistan? This frivolous complaint is just kicking someone when he is down.
The workplace issues surfacing now and many of the cases out west took place well before his arrival, and many of the members who are in the news for negative issues and wrong decisions were in the organization before the commissioner came to power.
This shows that the organization was suffering lack of leadership back then. Many, not all, senior officers were more interested in career than serving the public and managing the organization.
The organization is quick to blame a civilian brought in to resolve deep-rooted issues, but the reality is that the damage was done well before he even jumped in with the piranhas. Many felt jilted to see a civilian dare take the reins of the organization that many senior officers led without accountability for too long.
Is Elliott an easy target, the sacrificial lamb to hide the real issues? I believe that Elliott has made limited progress on some workplace issues affecting our officers.
Someone once told me that the RCMP is “a big ship and it’s hard to turn.” Elliott needs the help, not hindrance, from the men and women who wear the uniform. I remain loyal to the RCMP.
Will the force rise up and support the commissioner and begin the process of healing and restructuring this world renowned organization and return it to its glory days?
Andre Bigras,
Gatineau
“One resolution to the present-day problems currently plaguing the force would be for the men and women in Ottawa to start performing like trained police officers and leave the dirty politics to politicians.”
Good point. First step get them all out from the government and run it with the the oversight of a civilian board.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Great comment boomer. Yes, the current problems didn’t just happen overnight and started a long time ago.
Whether or not one likes the fact that Elliot is a civillian, the man has still been given a job to do.
But, this type of culture of infighting has worked it’s way down to the detachment level and how recruits often conduct business.
That is the vindictive culture of the RCMP. If you don’t like someone, are jealous or resent them the goal is to either destroy the person and their reputation or force them out. Just get rid of them. This often has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with politics.
This corporate cut throat culture has ruined the force.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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This is one of the finest and well written responses to the current demise of the RCMP that I have read in a long time. Andre Bigras illuminates it all it one sentence. “We are supposed to be trained in resolving conflict, yet some RCMP members are creating it”.
Comm Elliot is not the problem, and my not have the answer to the forces current difficulties. However the men and women under his administration in Ottawa are showing just how unscrupulous their lack of leadership skills at the uppermost ranks.
If the infighting continues for much longer, I expect more civilian outsiders brought in, taking over additional management control in this organization,
One resolution to the present-day problems currently plaguing the force would be for the men and women in Ottawa to start performing like trained police officers and leave the dirty politics to politicians. It would be a start.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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