Task force says RCMP should be 'separate entity'

The report, released by Toronto lawyer David Brown, said the Mounties have become mired in bureaucracy and must have more authority over their own staff and budget.

"The RCMP is not just another federal department -- nor should it be," Brown said at a press conference Friday.

"Members of the RCMP have the authority to make life-and-death decisions every day -- they fight organized crime and infiltrate terrorist cells -- but they don't have the authority to make simple expenditures or hire a new person without hours of paperwork and process.''

The report outlines 40 suggestions and makes three major recommendations:

The RCMP become a separate entity, removed from the affairs of the government
The creation of a civilian board to oversee the organization and administration of the RCMP
The creation of a more powerful complaints watchdog with the authority to impose its decision on the police force

The findings came after five months of research, including conversations with more than 2,000 Mounties and consultations with academics and management experts.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day launched the task force after a report Brown released in June criticized Mountie pension and insurance plans, and also made allegations of abuse of authority and internal harassment.

Brown said the task force came to see a picture of a revered Canadian institution with members struggling to do their best under an inefficient and poorly structured organization.

"With remarkable, but disturbing consistency, we heard of chronic shortages of people and equipment, of overwork and fatigue, of issues of wellness, health and even safety,'' Brown said.

According to the recommendations, the management board will report to the Public Safety minister and be responsible for financial affairs and personnel procurement.

A Commission for Complaints and Oversight of the RCMP would replace several existing bodies that Brown says lack the authority to compel change.

Brown said a council should ensure the board of management and independent commission are in operation no later than the end of 2009.

Commissioner William Elliott said he agreed with the report's finding that the RCMP needs better oversight and review, but would not comment on specific recommendations.

"There is simply no other option, the RCMP must change. And we must change in significant, relevant and meaningful ways to address the problems described in the task force's report," Elliott said.

"I have read enough to know that it's an important document that will serve as one of the key drivers of change as we go forward."

Elliott said that major changes are already underway, including the restructuring of the highest levels of management.

Changes in Taser use

In a surprise move, the RCMP announced Friday that it would be changing its policies on the use of Tasers.

The Mounties issued a news release saying they will be asking officers to limit the use of Tasers "to situations where a subject is displaying combative behaviors or is being actively resistant."

They added that a bulletin outlining the new policy has now been sent to all members and the changes will be incorporated in all future training for Tasers, also known as a conducted energy weapons (CEW).

The changes don't go as far as recommendations made earlier this week by a public complaints commission.

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP recommended in a 53-page report that the Mounties restrict the use of Tasers to situations when an individual is being "combative" or posing a risk of "death or grievous bodily harm" to the officer, themselves or the general public.

The Commission also wanted Tasers to be re-classified as an "impact weapon" instead of its current status of "intermediate" device, the same category as pepper spray.

Friday's RCMP release made no mention of re-classification.

But it did agree to a commission recommendation for stricter reporting of Taser incidents. The Mounties said they would enhance their Taser database to include more reporting and analysis of all "use of force" incidents, including those involving Tasers.

The Commission made 10 recommendations Wednesday following the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski last October.

Dziekanski died after being Tasered by police during a confrontation at the Vancouver International Airport. He was the 18th person in Canada to die after being hit by a Taser in recent years and his death sparked international criticism of the use of Tasers.

With a report from CTV's Graham Richardson

Comments are now closed for this story

Trace
said

To Irene
I think that all police officers should be required to have a degree in social sciences/social work, with a major focus on psychological disorders, biopsychology, mental illness/brain disorders/disability, non-violent crisis intervention, substance abuse, languages, and communication/counselling skills. Wow!!!! Once done that maybe they can get a PHD in medicine to make sure they can patch up the drunks that want to fight with them at 2am when most social workers won't even come out! NOT VERY REALISTIC.

VancouverDave
said

Let's all calm the excitement for a moment and look at what has actually been proposed.

1) Another layer of bureaucracy to insulate politicians from any future misdeeds by RCMP officers and management.

2) Restatement of the original purpose for use of a Taser or similar device instead of the recall of what the UN refers to as "instruments of torture".

Not much happening here, when you look at it rationally.

I would also like to point out that while 5 people becoming ill caused a recent vaccine recall, nearly 300 people becoming dead caused a bit of finger-wagging and stern warnings to be more careful with electrocution-type weapons. What does this say about our values as Canadians?

Hughie
said

Most commentors have lost track of the real thrust of this report. Taser use is a minute part of it. Day to day policing is a provincial responsibility and instead of keeping the status quo, the federal government show encourage the return of provincial police forces to the 8 provinces who gave them up years ago. The RCM Police should also be removed from municipal policing.

Kate
said

Mike from Canada.
An RCMP cadet 'earns' each part of his/her uniform from the stetson to the spurs. The cadet 'earns' his/her Red Serge. A poignant part of the RCMP cadet graduation ceremony is the removal of the cadet shoulder epaulette; an 'earned' privilege signifying successful completion of Cadet Training Program at the RCMP Training Academy.

Jason
said

As a CURRENT member of the RCMP, I would like to applaud our boss in what was said today and with accepting the report. What a great day for the RCMP and it's future now we as an organization must move on.

For once in a long time I'm proud of being part of this great police force and I would encourage anyone that wants a great career to join because changes are coming and for the better of the force, the public and everyone that works for the RCMP!!!

A great day!!!

Roch
said

I agree with the findings that the RCMP should be privatized.
They are badly broken, and need more than band-aid after years of bureaucratic bungling.

Governments are elected to govern, not run police services or businesses.

Mike from Canada
said

"With remarkable, but disturbing consistency, we heard of chronic shortages of people and equipment, of overwork and fatigue, of issues of wellness, health and even safety,'' Brown said...

As a member of the Canadian Forces, I find it hard to have sympathy...if they work past 40 hrs they get overtime...we can pull 60 or 70 hrs, get the same pay as 40 hrs, and we never complain. Here's a thought: although we do not want to give him up, if Gen Hillier retires, he should become the next RCMP Commissioner. He'll sort it out, and our loss will certainly be the RCMP's gain. Gen Hiller also wears the yellow cavalry stripe on his pants...but his is an earned cavalry stripe!

J-F (Ottawa)
said

Tasers or no tasers? I feel the general public should have the vote on this one. I have no trust in the internal RCMP and Provincial Police decisions anymore. I'm not sure who's more corrupt, the RCMP/Police or the one's being tasered.

Dirk Kok
said

We have just 'restricted' the use of the taser in the RCMP. The taser is only to be used if the Member is in imminent danger of being killed. Some of the comments just gall me. I have worn the red serge; some of my best buddies are buried because they were ambushed, or tried to defend themselves. But, boy oh boy, are we proud of them. We are so proud of the dead members We bury them with honor and talk about sympathy for the young wife and young children he left behind. And oh, yes, he was a member of the 'finest police force in the world'. It seems we are only proud of the RCMP when they are dead. While alive we villify them; call them 'bullies' or 'out of control goons'. But if one of the 'bullies' or 'goons' is shot to death, we miraculasly and instantly transfer him or her into a hero. Like I said a dead mountie is hero, but while alive he is a bully and a goon. It just make me sick to hear all that stuff, especially from those who have never in their lives, and never would place themselves in jeopardy, not just once but day in and day out. Never would these people leave their families in the morning with the thought,:"I might never see them again because of some idiot who wants to be proud that he killed one of the goons and bullies. You people, wake up and smell the roses. Be proud of the RCMP members because they are alive, and will get killed to keep you alive!! It makes me sick and angry and frustrated that the only good Mountie is a dead one. We love it because we have one more to be 'proud of'!!

Mark
said

Sad day for the Mounties, and law enforcement agencies everywhere. The TASER is a valuable tool, and a far less lethal alternative that discharging a firearm. As someone who was exposed to TASER during a training exercise, I can say that it was a lot more humane than being OC sprayed. Anyone who was "tased" will state the same.

dawn
said

are we now living in a police state? how is it our national police force can ignore a public complaints commission and pretty well do as they please? is there noone who can overrule them?

David
said

When an individual is combative or actively resistant is the exact right time to use a taser.

When a person is posing a risk of "death or grievous bodily harm" to the officer, themselves or the general public, it is time to skip the taser and go directly to deadly force.

Doug
said

I think this is a fair accomodation to public concerns.I agree that no police officer anywhere should be using a Taser just because he can.It should be a "second to last resort".But it would be a huge mistake to simply take tools out of the hands of police forces.Training and common sense are the answers here.
I agree with "Irv" when he describes the media frenzy here.The RCMP was tried and convicted by local talk shows,and media reports while they were still investigating.It does show a lack of confidence in our police forces when we pass judgement without waiting for their side of the story.
Those who think police use violence all to quickly,may have a good point.However,it should also be noted that the criminal element is very,very quick to use violence.A couple of decades ago,this was not the case.Gun violence was quite rare.Now,an officer,or any member of the public can face violent reactions for little or no reason at all.
I think a lot of elements of the justice system have to be adjusted to reflect this new reality.If police want respect,they have to show it.Likewise,if the general public wants a police force it can have confidence in,it has to support it.Surely we cannot be surprised to see these men and women react to increasing levels of violence they face at work by implementing the "hug a thug" method.
They do need to improve the way they do their work.But the public and the judicial system also has to improve the way they deal with criminals.If that isn't part of the equation,we will either find it difficult to find people willing to do the work,or we will have a lot of very frustrated officers patroling the streets.

Uwe
said

I feel that what the RCMP has now accepted and will implement is adequate. Enough on this subject it is time to move on.

Patrick
said

To Chas,
The lack of proper parenting and today's culture of not having any personal responsibility are the biggest factors when it comes to youth violence and disrespect for authority. Blaming the police is easier than addressing the real issue.

Irene
said

Why does the RCMP get to decide if they will implement changes, why are they not told what they must do? Is this a police state already? Was it not already that they were to use tasers only in extreme situations, but they used them far too easily? I think everyone with a loved one with a mental illness, cognitive disorder, a non visible disability, anyone experiencing a reaction to a medication or related condition should be terrified of what will happen to them if the RCMP encounters them in public. The RCMP might just taser them instead of having some understanding and skill in non-violent crisis intervention, defusing the situation, and seeking medical help. I work in the social service field, and will no longer call the RCMP to assist someone in crisis without serious misgivings of how they may be treated. I had always supported them when others didn't, but that has changed, the trust is gone. The training needs to be changed from the focus on physical retraint, force and weapons, to a a required degree in social sciences/social work, with a major focus on psychological disorders, biopsychology, mental illness/brain disorders/disability, non-violent crisis intervention, substance abuse, languages, and communication/counselling skills. It needs to begin with a major psychological assesment and screening process to prevent deviant, power thristy individuals from being put in positions of ultimate power over vulnerable persons. This has reached the crisis point, and if we don't wake up and demand immediate change, we will all suffer. Faith in a 'justice system' that sends axe murders home to watch tv has already eroded support in the system, but now the entire police force has been called into question on an issue of trust. Without trust, they have no other means of doing their work than to up the ante and use more force. This is not the Canada I grew up in, no longer a kind, compassionate society. There has been a drift away from what I thought was a given, defining characteristic of our country. We have thousands of homeless, mentally ill, addicted, disabled and vulberable people on our streets, they can die in alleyways, be butchered and abuse, but we just turn a blind eye. Poverty grows, people suffer, but who cares? We pander to other cultural ideals, but have lost our own sense of self in a sea of liberalism and political correctedness run amuk. I no longer am a pround Canadian, the basic tenants of our society have been erroded, perhaps past the tipping point. How did this happen? How did we arrive at a place where the values of the majority of our citizens are no longer reflected in policy, law or social policy??

Lyne
said

I know this article is on the usage of taser and the upcoming report on the RCMP... but a friend of mine that is on the force told me to check out the video that they have on YouTube... It would appear that this is way more different then the one shown on the local news... Then we make our own judgement.

As for the taser and all, what I don't understand is why just the RCMP and not all police forces in Canada must go with this report. From what I've read, there has been more then one death with these tasers and NOT all coming from the RCMP???

Irv from Ottawa
said

What troubles me is the approach in which the entire Dziekanski affair was handled and subsequently resulted in yet another public complaints commission. The RCMP was singled out 'by the press' as being the sole reason behind his unfortunate death. However what wasn't given enough attention was the manner in which airport officials who detained him for an extended period of time treated him. It is apparent that his behaviour was the result of less than appropriate care (even people charged with crimes and held in detention are given a decent meal). Yes I agree the TAZER course of action was excessive, given the circumstances, however had Mr. Dziekanksi been given a chance too cool, this incident could have been prevented.

John
said

"Mounties restrict the use of Tasers to situations when an individual is being "combative" or posing a risk of "death or grievous bodily harm" to the officer, themselves or the general public."

I am not a Police officer, but I am well aware of the standard rules of engagement. I am sorry to say, but in the stated requirements in this paragraph, the officer has the right to use deadly force (ie. a GUN).

The chances of surviving a Tazer are far better then surviving a gun. I would be curious how often the use of a Taser has downgraded an incident that was on its way to the use of deadly force?

I think this ruling has severly handicapped the Police.

Ton
said

Sometimes I wonder.

To whom is the RCMP acountable? Are they a law unto themselves?

I believe tasers should not be used unless the officer's or another person's life is in imminent danger.

Because RCMP are entrusted with the authority to use force where necessary and where it is appropriate they above all neeed to have training to use their auhtority in a sensitive and responsible manner.

The last thing we need is for the RCMP to take on "bullying" tactics.

And it only takes a few "bully" RCMP officers to damage the good reputation the RCMP have made over the last century and a half.

Jason
said

A great start for the RCMP to accept some of the recommendations for the taser usage...

Now, with the new report, perhaps some in higher management or members looking for a promotion will actually try to do the right thing and do the job, not just get the promotions and then look for the other available one...

The problem with the RCMP is too many members are only out for themselves and not for the good of the force.

Let's wait and see!!!

Chas
said

The lack of honesty and integrity of our police forces in Canada leads to injustice and more violence amongst our youth and gang members. I have witnessed, I am sad to say, the corrupt investigation process of the RCMP first hand in North Vancouver, BC. It is always a hard scrub with the blue shield to whitewash and cover up and wrong doing and bring our entire justice system in to disrepute thereby creating more violence and less respect for the law by our youth today!

James
said

Excellent News!

The Taser is not being reclassified, stricter reporting procedures will be in place, and the weapon has not been made equal in usage to the sidearm.

Well done. Solid changes that make sense, instead of impossible-in-application ones.

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