Collect and analyze race-based data

Update

In support of the RCMP's efforts to address systemic racism and build a more inclusive organization, the RCMP launched race-based data collection in 3 pilot sites (Whitehorse, Thompson and Wood Buffalo), followed by Burnaby in April. An upcoming pilot in Nova Scotia is also being planned.

Sites were chosen based on a number of factors including public consultations held throughout 2022, 2023 and 2024. Piloting the Race-based Data Collection Initiative will provide an opportunity for the RCMP to test processes and make improvements and adjustments before an anticipated future national rollout.

The initiative aims to collect, analyse and report race-based data to better understand the experiences of Indigenous, Black and other racialized individuals and communities in their interactions with RCMP frontline officers.

The collection of race-based data to understand police interactions (such as wellness checks, and arrests) and use of force will provide evidence-based information to help improve how the RCMP provides services to diverse communities. Specifically, this will:

• identify differences in policing outcomes for Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities
• better understand the nature, extent and impact of systemic racial disparities in community safety
• enable data-driven decision making and policy, procedure and training development
• build trust with communities
• improve community safety outcomes

Data in each pilot site will be collected for 1 year before it is analyzed and the findings are publicly reported. When reporting results from this initiative, data will be presented in summary form and properly de-identified so individuals cannot be identified. After analyzing the data, the RCMP plans to use the findings to develop action plans addressing any issues or gaps identified through data analysis. Recommendations for action plans will be developed with input from engagements with RCMP employees, including frontline officers, stakeholders and members of the public as well as leaders for diverse perspectives and ensure operational feasibility and sustainability in a national roll-out. The RCMP is committed to holding regular and meaningful consultations with Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, making this a central aspect of the action planning process. The data-driven insights, combined with meaningful community consultation, will play a vital role in improving policies, procedures, and training to promote more equitable policing services.

Update

The Race-Based Data Collection Initiative is an important part of the RCMP's larger efforts to address systemic racism and improve our services for the communities we serve. The Initiative aims for greater effectiveness, efficiency and equity in our impact. Meaningful engagement helps the RCMP understand local community context and employee perspectives.

Components of this engagement include:

• visiting detachments in six divisions across Canada
  • meeting with divisional leadership, detachment leadership, government partners, stakeholders and community organizations, such as First Nations and Inuit communities, to hear about their unique experiences
• hosting regular retreats to bring together academics, experts from other police services, and partners from various areas of the RCMP and the federal public service, to advance anti-racism
• collaborating with partners and stakeholders to develop training and communication materials for the initiative and its support for the RCMP's broader modernization efforts.
• participating in working groups to coordinate guidelines for race-based data collection in policing

The Race-Based Data Collection Initiative's pilot program is on track to start data collection in the five recommended pilot sites in early 2024.

The Anti-Racism Unit will continue meeting with members and local Indigenous, Black and Racialized communities in the pilot sites to understand their concerns and address questions about race-based data collection.

Update

The Anti-Racism Unit is leading the implementation of the Race-Based Data Collection initiative and is also developing an Anti-Racism Strategy in the RCMP

Starting with a smaller scale version of the initiative, the Anti-Racism Unit will first pilot the Race-Based Data Collection initiative in select pilot sites to help test and refine the framework before it is implemented nationally.

The Anti-Racism Unit visited several detachments across the country and met with RCMP members, community organizations and other key stakeholders. Potential Race-Based Data Collection pilot sites were assessed for suitability based on several factors including: community insight on known tension/issues with police, detachment and division readiness, community support for Race-Based Data Collection, and existing provincial and municipal anti-racism initiatives that would support the RCMP's Race-Based Data Collection Initiative.

The following detachments have been selected as Race-Based Data Collection pilot sites:

• Burnaby, British Columbia (E Division)
• Fort McMurray/Wood Buffalo, Alberta (K Division)
• Whitehorse, Yukon (M Division)
• Thompson, Manitoba (D Division)
• Halifax, Nova Scotia (H Division)

Work on the Race-Based Data Collection pilot is underway, with data collection expected to begin in early 2024. The Anti-Racism Unit is applying the best practices outlined in the Ontario Anti-Racism Data Standards and continues to strengthen and build relationships across and outside the organization to move forward. For instance, the RCMP is developing an internal Change Champion Network to support initiatives to address systemic racism across the RCMP and is participating in working groups with Statistics Canada, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police to collaborate on a coordinated approach and guidelines for Race-Based Data Collection in policing.

Update

The RCMP is on track to put in place a race-based data collection system that will generate reliable data. The data will be used to identify trends that point to disproportionate or disparate outcomes for racialized individuals and to examine ways to mitigate negative impacts.

This is a long-term, resource-intensive project that requires:

• deep subject matter expertise
• a whole-of-RCMP approach
• collaboration with jurisdictional partners and key stakeholders
• coordination of internal IM/IT and analytical functions

The RCMP has engaged with Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police to exchange best practices to advance race-based data collection.

Efforts are ongoing to educate RCMP employees on systemic racism. The requirements and supports for successful implementation are under continual assessment.

Update

We have hired a dedicated team that will be responsible for planning and implementing the rollout. This includes developing procedures for front-line members, training materials and reporting tools, as well as engagement with municipal and provincial partners, and community representatives.

As of September 2021, Statistics Canada circulated the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Engagement Survey among law enforcement partners in Canada. The survey gauges concerns with the collection of race-based data and identifies any gaps within their current data collection practices and systems that would need to be addressed in order to support its collection.

The RCMP will integrate the results from Statistics Canada's community consultations and the UCR Engagement Survey to inform its current race-based data collection practices and policy framework, in mid 2022.