Improve response to public complaints

Update

In 2023-24, the Commissioner responded 100% of the time within six months of the issuance of an interim report. To be noted that the CRCC report contains slightly different results as their data captures a different time frame than that of the RCMP.

The RCMP continues to work with the CRCC on many recommendations. On April 1, 2024, the RCMP added a new allegation type - bias - following a recommendation by the CRCC on the RCMP's Bias-Free Policing Model. This recommendation helps the CRCC support the RCMP in better identifying and understanding potential trends where complaints bias may occur. This would be tracked through improved data collection. Data collected will improve the RCMP's approach with bias but also help to build trust and confidence with Canadians.

The RCMP continues to work towards completing investigations on time. To ensure advancements in this area, a robust analysis of trends and patterns has provided the framework for further action in addition to a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure efficiency throughout the complaints process.

We continue to work towards reducing the volume of public complaint investigations and further improving the early stages of the public complaint process by supporting areas with higher frequency of complaints. The online public complaint investigator's course was in January 2023 where investigators tasked with complaint investigation are directed to take the course. There have been 381 employees who have taken the course since its launch. Several communication strategies along with products have been produced and disseminated to address investigational gaps, promote informal resolution and allow for further education with a focus on investigational excellence. National meetings have allowed for the sharing of best practices, discussing trends and further standardization of the complaints process.

The RCMP is committed to strengthening trust, transparency and accountability. In order to show this, an overview of supported CRCC commitments made for fiscal year 2023-24 and their progress are available on the RCMP website.

The RCMP continues to be engaged with Public Safety Canada on the Bill C-20, an Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments. This legislation would replace the current public complaints process legislated in Parts VI and VII of the RCMP Act. Additional information regarding the impacts of Bill C-20 to follow.

Update

Since the RCMP eliminated its backlog of responses to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) interim reports in November 2021, it now responds to all interim reports within the stated time commitment of six months.

The RCMP continues to communicate internally on common trends noted from the analysis of public complaints. Recent communication campaigns have focused on providing reminders to front-line members regarding important topics that are surfacing during the reviews such as dwelling houses and adherence to prisoner care policies.

The RCMP's National Public Complaints Directorate (NPCD) continues its work on reducing the volume of initial level public complaint investigations and further improving the early stages of the public complaint process. In addition, an online public complaint investigator's course was launched in May 2023, as well as a revised best practice guide for RCMP employees involved in the public complaints process. National Public Complaints Directorate is communicating regularly with Divisions to promote the public complaint investigator's course, provide guidance to investigators and promote the benefits of informal resolution.

The National Public Complaints Directorate continues to post all of its commitments and implementation statuses from all supported CRCC recommendations for fiscal years 2020-21 and onwards on the RCMP website, with the most recent update published on July 28, 2023.

The National Public Complaints Directorate continues to be engaged with Public Safety Canada on the Bill C-20 process, an Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments. This legislation will replace the current public complaints process legislated in Parts VI and VII of the RCMP Act.

Update

The RCMP eliminated its backlog of responses to Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) interim reports on November 26, 2021.

The RCMP is now focused on reducing the amount of interim reports it receives from the CRCC by improving the public complaint process at its early stages. Common themes have been identified from the CRCC interim reports and work is underway to improve the process.

The RCMP's National Public Complaints Directorate (NPCD) has also developed a plan to reduce the amount of overdue public complaint investigations to further improve the early stages of the public complaint process.

An online public complaint investigator's course is expected to launch in fall 2022 and a communications strategy and best practices guide is also being developed for RCMP employees.

Since April 1, 2021, a total of 168 Commissioner's Responses have been completed.

The NPCD is posting on the RCMP website all of its commitments and implementation statuses from all supported CRCC recommendations for fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22.

All supported commitments prior to 2020-21 have been addressed.

The NPCD renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CRCC on April 19, 2022. The renewed MOU will improve the relevant material disclosure process to better facilitate CRCC reviews.

Update

As of November 26, 2021 the backlog of interim reports older than April 2021 has been eliminated. The RCMP had initially committed to eliminating the backlog by December 31, 2021.

Since April 2021, all interim reports received on or after this date, are being responded to within six months as per the MOU between the RCMP and the CRCC.

The status of all RCMP commitments arising from CRCC Interim Reports in the 2020-2021 fiscal year were posted on the external website on November 30, 2021. All RCMP commitments for the 2021-2022 fiscal year will also be posted going forward.

The CRCC will present the RCMP with the Specified Activity Review report on Bias-Free Policing by the end of 2021. The RCMP will conduct a full examination of its findings and recommendations. The RCMP will respond to the CRCC's Bias-Free Policing report within 60 days of receipt.

More information on this initiative is available at RCMP commitments and resulting implementation status from supported CRCC recommendations in response to Chairperson Initiated Complaints, Public Interest Investigations, and Specified Activity Reviews.