Ottawa ‘must act’ to overhaul RCMP federal policing program: report

A national security watchdog is calling for Ottawa to drive major changes to the RCMP’s federal policing program in order to ensure Canadians are protected from the most serious threats.

In a report released on Tuesday, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians raised concerns that the key program has challenges varying from weak governance and staff vacancies to poor data management that can undermine its ability to fulfill an essential role.

“On the basis of its review, the committee does not believe that federal policing is as effective, efficient, flexible or accountable as it needs to be to protect Canada and Canadians from the most significant national security and criminal threats,” the report says.

“The government must act to ensure it is.”

The committee composed of MPs and senators hears from witnesses behind closed doors announced its review of the RCMP’s federal policing mandate two years ago.

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It examined both the capabilities and the results of the mandate’s programs, as well as how the RCMP carries out federal criminal investigations in areas such as national security, complex crimes and major organized crime.

Chair of the committee, Liberal MP David McGuinty, said in an interview that members were “shocked in some respects” at the obstacles preventing the mandate from reaching its optimal performance.

The report details an over-arching impact of the force’s longtime focus on front-line contract policing in much of the country, which has shaped the RCMP’s organizational structure, governance, finances, human resources and training models.

Against this background, federal policing “has struggled with challenges” internal to its program, the committee found.

The report says that the force clearly recognizes the issues, citing the many initiatives in the areas of governance, data, prioritization, intelligence, recruitment and training that should result in improvements.

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“However, the committee is concerned that the impetus to maintain the status quo is strong.”

The committee outlines “disincentives for significant reform” that include the considerable role of contract policing, a lack of political direction in federal policing, the complexity of the issues being faced by the organization and the frequent crises that arise.

“The RCMP cannot do it alone,” the report says, adding the “government should take a clear role in driving change.”

The committee is calling on the government to identify federal policing as a priority and make it clear “that reform is essential.”

Doing so would require the federal public safety minister to take on a greater role, providing direction to the RCMP in the major areas where reform is needed, according to the report.

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Acknowledging the limits on the minister given the principle of police independence in the realms of investigations, arrests and charges, the report says it does not prevent them from participating in the broader areas of institutional reform and government priorities.

This would be an essential step in “strengthening democratic accountability” for federal policing.

The minimum of ministerial direction, says the committee, should cover governance, financial controls, recruiting and training, clear objectives and expectations in all areas and annual reporting requirements.

The government is also being called on to implement stronger measures to ensure finances are directed towards federal priorities and to determine whether additional resources are needed.

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Additionally, Ottawa is being asked to decide on whether changes to the RCMP’s structure are required to ensure the success of federal policing.

Some are calling for the Mounties to abandon contract policing and adapt practices similar to those of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Increasing autonomy within the RCMP may allow the program to address its most significant challenges, but the report adds that “it may be time for Canada to consider a stand-alone federal policing organization.”

This report was created with files from The Canadian Press