RCMP must learn from its mistakes

(Editorial, Ottawa Citizen) – The RCMP was broken before William Elliott took over as the force’s first civilian commissioner in 2007 and it is still badly in need of fixing. News that he will step down this summer brings to an end a messy chapter that was marked as much by internal strife as reform. The way is now clear for the RCMP to begin the crucial work of restoring public trust.

Elliott was touted as a new broom to clean house at the force when he was appointed. Four years later, that new broom is needed more than ever. Elliott was responsible for some positive changes during his term as commissioner, but his abrasive personal style and the huge learning curve he faced as a civilian chief left him bogged down and ultimately unable to oversee the kind of transformation that is needed at the RCMP.

While hiring someone from outside the force to lead it seemed to make sense, given concerns that the RCMP had become too insular and too eager to protect its own, that also suggests that there is no value in police experience and that there is no one from within police ranks up to the task -neither of which is true. In the same way it makes sense for a soldier to lead the armed forces, it makes sense for a police officer to lead the RCMP.

And there are several capable senior RCMP officials whose names come up when a replacement for Elliott is mentioned. Ottawa Police Chief Vern White is frequently named as a potential candidate. He had a 20-year career with the RCMP, ending as deputy commissioner, before becoming police chief in Durham and then chief in Ottawa. White’s openness and quick response to the Stacy Bonds controversy and his handling of other controversies and day-to-day operations on the force would make him a promising candidate for the job. His time away from the RCMP might give him an ideal combination of experience in the job, and distance from the internal politics.

Whoever takes over from Elliott has a big job ahead. A modern force as big as the RCMP, which covers so many diverse issues and faces an evergrowing list of demands will make mistakes. Being open about those mistakes, learning from them and communicating what will change as a result is a key part of the commissioner’s job and crucial to restoring frayed public trust in the force.

And, in the wake of scandals including the failed probe of the Air India bombing and the Taser death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport, restoring public trust should be job one for a new commissioner.

Among the most important steps toward doing so is setting up a body similar to the Special Investigations Unit in Ontario to investigate the Mounties. Another reasonable suggestion is to set up a civilian board that would both help the commissioner deal with the complexities of modern policing and put more space between the force and the government.

Elliott’s successor should be ready to roll up his, or her, sleeves; there is plenty of work to be done.