Comments on: Mountie came with apology, left with committee http://www.rcmpwatch.com/mountie-came-with-apology-left-with-committee/ Who is keeping them accountable? Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:35:43 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Justbecause http://www.rcmpwatch.com/mountie-came-with-apology-left-with-committee/comment-page-1/#comment-2170 Justbecause Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:15:32 +0000 http://www.rcmpwatch.com/mountie-came-with-apology-left-with-committee/#comment-2170 Calvin Appreciate your insight , however the RCMP has fallen down on more than one Code of Conduct or Statuatory investigation . We must remember the Investigation is only as good as the one doing it . Many times the NCO down the road is assigned to do these investigations and bias comes into play . Lets remember basic training , you are only as strong as your weakest link. You refer to the Mission Statement and Core Values within the RCMP , lets remember our previous Commissioner Mr Zaccardelli preached them , however felt he was above them . Comments Calvin
Appreciate your insight , however the RCMP has fallen down on more than one Code of Conduct or Statuatory investigation . We must remember the Investigation is only as good as the one doing it . Many times the NCO down the road is assigned to do these investigations and bias comes into play . Lets remember basic training , you are only as strong as your weakest link. You refer to the Mission Statement and Core Values within the RCMP , lets remember our previous Commissioner Mr Zaccardelli preached them , however felt he was above them . Comments

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]]> By: Calvin Lawrence http://www.rcmpwatch.com/mountie-came-with-apology-left-with-committee/comment-page-1/#comment-2169 Calvin Lawrence Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:58:36 +0000 http://www.rcmpwatch.com/mountie-came-with-apology-left-with-committee/#comment-2169 New Article: RCMP Apologizes to Digby / The Chronicle Herald News/30 Jan.08 I am making the following comments in relation to the above noted article and incident. There has been a long history of alleged racist behavior by RCMP members directed at the black communities of Nova Scotia. Usually the following process is followed by the RCMP when these allegations are made: • Timely actions are not taken by the RCMP to investigate. Problem: There is a perception by the black community that there is a cover up or the RCMP just doesn’t care. (Delay is the worst form of denial) • The RCMP member who is accused of the alleged racist behavior is transferred or retires from the force. Problem: The black community may view this as the RCMP member not being made to explain his/her actions. • The RCMP pays financial settlements to the black community members who were wronged. Problem: Cash settlements are usually accompanied by a confidentially clause. Money does not take the place of humiliation, insults, fear, and intimidation that lasts long after the money is gone. Since the money is from the taxpayers of Canada there may be a backlash. Not being able to divulge the settlement robs the individual of a sense of closure. • The RCMP launches a well published education campaign to educated RCMP members on issues of racist behavior. EG: Bias free policing. Problem: The shotgun approach to wrongdoing does not work. Having RCMP members who never acted in a racist manner attend anti-racist training only cause’s resentment and is a waste of time and resources. Conclusion; The above process, while well-meaning, leaves everyone with lingering anger and hostile feelings cemented in chronic suspicion. The procedures that should be followed and that will work are the following: • When a complaint of any kind of racist behavior is registered especially when an employee is the victim; a timely, accurate, and open as possible investigation should be conducted. Reason: The victim and the black community observe that action is being taken. Their perception is their reality. • Once the investigation has been completed the appropriate action, if any is required at all, should be applied to the accused RCMP Member. This would include criminal code offences as well as internal violations. Reason: RCMP members are well aware that there is a zero tolerance policy regarding racist behavior toward employees and citizens. This is set out in the following: Training at the RCMP Academy at Depot, The member’s Oath, Mission, Vision, and Values, Directives from the Commissioner (There are several) Diversity Management Units in each Division Visible Minority Advisory Committees With all of the above policies do we really need further training or do we hold individual RCMP Members accountable for their conscious and deliberate actions? If their supervisors are ignoring the problem they should also be held accountable for not doing their job. • We tell the truth about the investigation no matter who it helps or who it hurts. Reason: This process would establish overwhelming credibility of the RCMP in the victim and the black community. This would also demonstrate to other members that policies and procedures are being enforced. Calvin Lawrence (RCMP Retired) CGL Consulting@yahoo.ca New Article: RCMP Apologizes to Digby / The Chronicle Herald News/30 Jan.08

I am making the following comments in relation to the above noted article and incident.
There has been a long history of alleged racist behavior by RCMP members directed at the black communities of Nova Scotia.

Usually the following process is followed by the RCMP when these allegations are made:

• Timely actions are not taken by the RCMP to investigate.

Problem: There is a perception by the black community that there is a cover up or the RCMP just doesn’t care. (Delay is the worst form of denial)

• The RCMP member who is accused of the alleged racist behavior is transferred or retires from the force.

Problem: The black community may view this as the RCMP member not being made to explain his/her actions.

• The RCMP pays financial settlements to the black community members who were wronged.

Problem: Cash settlements are usually accompanied by a confidentially clause. Money does not take the place of humiliation, insults, fear, and intimidation that lasts long after the money is gone. Since the money is from the taxpayers of Canada there may be a backlash. Not being able to divulge the settlement robs the individual of a sense of closure.

• The RCMP launches a well published education campaign to educated RCMP members on issues of racist behavior. EG: Bias free policing.

Problem: The shotgun approach to wrongdoing does not work. Having RCMP members who never acted in a racist manner attend anti-racist training only cause’s resentment and is a waste of time and resources.

Conclusion; The above process, while well-meaning, leaves everyone with lingering anger and hostile feelings cemented in chronic suspicion.

The procedures that should be followed and that will work are the following:

• When a complaint of any kind of racist behavior is registered especially when an employee is the victim; a timely, accurate, and open as possible investigation should be conducted.

Reason: The victim and the black community observe that action is being taken. Their perception is their reality.

• Once the investigation has been completed the appropriate action, if any is required at all, should be applied to the accused RCMP Member. This would include criminal code offences as well as internal violations.

Reason: RCMP members are well aware that there is a zero tolerance policy regarding racist behavior toward employees and citizens. This is set out in the following:

Training at the RCMP Academy at Depot,
The member’s Oath,
Mission, Vision, and Values,
Directives from the Commissioner (There are several)
Diversity Management Units in each Division
Visible Minority Advisory Committees

With all of the above policies do we really need further training or do we hold individual RCMP Members accountable for their conscious and deliberate actions? If their supervisors are ignoring the problem they should also be held accountable for not doing their job.

• We tell the truth about the investigation no matter who it helps or who it hurts.

Reason: This process would establish overwhelming credibility of the RCMP in the victim and the black community. This would also demonstrate to other members that policies and procedures are being enforced.

Calvin Lawrence (RCMP Retired)
CGL Consulting@yahoo.ca

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