Review of the RCMP's Public Complaint Records
Appendix B: List of Issues55
Issues
Examples of Use
Aboriginal Community
Complaints stemming from an incident on a reserve; complaints lodged through one of the Friendship Centres and the
FSIN; complaints about discrimination against aboriginal individuals.
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Abusive Language
Offensive language; profanity; swearing; racist, sexist or other oppressive language.
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Alcohol/Drugs
(not intoxication)
Used when the complaint is related to alcohol or drugs but the individual is not intoxicated, e.g. a drug bust, open liquor in vehicle and possession of drugs.
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Arrest
Complainant was arrested during the incident; usually corresponds to improper arrest allegations; complainant is unhappy about the way they were arrested.
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Attitude
Other than abusive language; disrespect; harassment; intimidation; police attitudes; rudeness.
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Care in Custody
Improper care while in police custody, e.g. dirty cells, no mattress, cold cells and ignoring requests for food or shower.
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Chemical Irritants
Pepper Spray; OC Spray; Capsicum spray; Tear gas; Mace; Oleoresin Capsicum Spray.
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Child Abuse Response
Includes both physical and sexual abuse against children.
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Child Custody
Child access disputes; custody of children.
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Civil Disputes
/No child
Includes property disputes.
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Conflict of Interest
Investigating member related to the witness and or complainant; members using their authority as police officers for non-police purposes, etc.
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Criminal Investigation Quality
Complainant is not happy with the way a criminal investigation was conducted; this includes all aspects of investigations such as interviewing witnesses and examining and handling evidence, concealment, evidence, investigation, witnesses and misleading reports.
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Crowd Controlt
Demonstrations; riots.
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Custody Deaths
Death of an arrestee after being taken into custody; cell deaths; police-involved shootings; Taser deaths; drug overdose.
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Detention
Involves suspect being held in cells; drunk tank.
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Entry of Premises
Member enters premises without owner's permission.
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Intoxication
Use of alcohol or drugs; drunkenness; impaired driving; use of breathalyser.
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Informants/Sources
Complaint about member's use of informants or sources.
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Lethal Weapons
Used when the complaint is about the member's use or threatened use of a lethal weapon; firearms; guns; revolvers; side arms.
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Lying under Oath
Perjury; member lying in court.
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Medical Care
Access to medications; providing proper medical attention.
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Mental Illness
Member involvement with individuals suffering from mental illness.
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National Security
Includes terrorism.
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Non-Custody Deaths
Includes criminal investigations into non-custody deaths.
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Non-lethal Weapons/No chem.
Tasers; stun guns; water hoses; rubber bullets; baton.
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Non-pursuit Police Driving
Includes members parking improperly; driving irregularities while transporting suspects.
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Non-spousal, Non-child Assault Response
Member response to assault; does not include child or spousal abuse. Bar fights; violent civil disputes, etc.
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Non-spousal, Non-child Sexual Assault Response
Member response to sexual assault; does not include child or spousal abuse. Rape victims.
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Note-taking Quality
Quality of member's notes on incident forms; allegations of lying on police reports.
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Police Physical Abuse no Restraints
Usually corresponds with excessive use of force allegations. Police brutality; police beatings; punching; kicking; throwing; slamming into wall.
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Police Pursuit Driving
Car chase; high-speed pursuits.
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Policy
Complaint about specific RCMP policies.
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Property mishandling
Lost, stolen, or damaged property due to member involvement; withholding property from complainant; releasing property to someone other than the owner of the property.
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Public Complaint Investigation Quality
Complaints about the way a public complaint was handled; complaints about dispositions; complaint processing.
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Release/Disclosure of Info.
Information dissemination; release of police involvement to someone other than the suspect.
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Restraints
Choke holds; handcuffs (too tight); hog tie; neck holds. Sometimes corresponds to use of force allegations.
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Right to Counsel
Suspect was not allowed to contact a lawyer or was not told of their right to contact a lawyer.
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Search
Complaint about a search; search of premises, person, vehicle, etc.
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Seizure
Complaint about the seizure of personal property; includes weapons, drugs, etc.
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Service
Improper service by members; refusal to respond to complaints; not arranging for appropriate child care while taking a parent into custody; used when the service failure cannot be categorized by another issue.
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Spousal Abuse Response
Domestic violence; includes physical and sexual abuse;
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Use of Police Dogs
Dog bites; dog searches.
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Vehicular Incidents
Driving-related complaints; crash site response; driving tickets; includes cars, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.
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Witness Protection Program
Complaint involving an individual in the witness protection program.
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Youth Interaction
Complaint involving members' interaction with youth under the age of 18.
55 The list of issues incorporates words or phrases most commonly used by complainants and the RCMP to describe the situation and context of the complaints.