Review of the RCMP's Public Complaint Records

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Recommendations

Recognizing the importance of RCMP-wide consistency and based on the findings of the analyses within the Review of the Record Project, the Commission recommends to the Commissioner of the RCMP the following:

1. That the RCMP immediately implement the recommendations made by the Commission in its Review of the RCMP's Public Complaints Records-2007 report.
2. That the Professional Standards and External Review Directorate at RCMP Headquarters immediately implement a proper database to track public complaints and related processes so that this Directorate will be able, at a minimum, to identify when complaints were lodged, how many have been lodged, where they were lodged, the members involved, what the nature of the complaints are and if an investigation or appropriate disposition has been completed on a national level.
3. That the RCMP ensure that those tasked with capturing public complaints and writing complaint dispositions receive complete and ongoing training and that manuals related to the public complaint process be immediately updated to ensure a standardized national approach.
4. That the RCMP commit to improving its service standards by implementing ways to reduce wait times and reduce processing times for complaint dispositions.
5. That the Professional Standards and External Review Directorate at RCMP Headquarters immediately issue a directive to RCMP members clearly articulating:
6. What constitutes "serious allegations" and when it is appropriate to informally resolve improper use of force complaints and when it is not;
7. how public complaints defined under Part VII of the RCMP Act are to be processed when the complainant raises statutory offence allegations; and
8. when it is appropriate to terminate a public complaint under the RCMP Act and what information must be included in a Notice of Direction.
9. That the RCMP amend its policies (as required) regarding the withdrawal of complaints to ensure that it's policies clearly articulate when it is appropriate to accept a purported withdrawal of a complaint making "serious allegations"; and that the reasons for the withdrawal are clearly documented on the withdrawal forms.
10. That the Commissioner of the RCMP, to enhance consistency and adherence to policy, revise his delegated authority with respect to the issuance of Notices of Direction for terminations from the unit level to, at least, the level of officer (or non-commissioned officer) in charge of the Divisional Professional Standards units.
11. That the RCMP implement a national program whereby multiple complaints will be utilized as an "early warning" of potential conduct-related concerns with individual RCMP members.
12. That the RCMP commit to initiate a detailed examination into the entire RCMP public complaint process in the Territories. The Commission is amenable to working jointly with the RCMP with respect to this recommendation.

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