Canadians’ views of RCMP policing services 2020-21
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Canadians' Views of RCMP Policing Services is a public opinion survey of adult residents of Canada, with a focus on areas policed by the RCMP. A representative sample of the residents of Canada was selected to participate in the survey. This year, there were 2,988 respondents (1,313 by telephone interview and 1,675 online).
Notes
- Results in these tables are the overall results (combination of online panels and telephone interviews).
- Data was collected from January 11 to February 2, 2021.
- Questions were answered on a 5-point scale and summarized to agree/neutral/disagree to facilitate review.
- Percentages may sometimes not add to 100 due to rounding.
- Results are "weighted" - they are adjusted so that age, gender, and region better match the Canadian population.
- National margin of error of +/- 1.8%, 19 times out of 20.
Table 1: Attitude towards the RCMP
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
| How important is the RCMP's contribution to keeping Canadians safe? |
90% |
4% |
6% |
| How satisfied are you with the RCMP's contribution to keeping Canadians safe? |
62% |
14% |
24% |
| I feel safer because of the RCMP. |
57% |
25% |
18% |
Table 2: General
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
| The RCMP demonstrates professionalism in its work. |
65% |
18% |
7% |
| The RCMP is an organization with integrity. |
58% |
18% |
25% |
| RCMP personnel are honest. |
56% |
26% |
18% |
| RCMP personnel demonstrate compassion. |
51% |
27% |
22% |
| The RCMP is an accountable organization. |
50% |
18% |
32% |
| The RCMP treats people with respect. |
50% |
23% |
26% |
| The RCMP places an emphasis on providing quality service to the public. |
62% |
21% |
17% |
| The RCMP provides the same quality of service to all citizens. |
39% |
17% |
44% |
| The RCMP places emphasis on providing services in the official language of my choice, English or French. |
71% |
24% |
6% |
| I have trust and confidence in the RCMP. |
60% |
18% |
23% |
| I would encourage friends and family members to apply to the RCMP. |
50% |
22% |
28% |
Table 3: Relationship with the RCMP
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
| The RCMP has effective local leaders. |
44% |
37% |
20% |
| The RCMP has effective national leaders. |
43% |
25% |
31% |
| The RCMP provides Canadians with adequate information about its work. |
38% |
23% |
39% |
| The RCMP is an open and transparent organization. |
30% |
23% |
47% |
| The RCMP is representative of the diverse Canadian communities it serves. |
45% |
22% |
33% |
| RCMP personnel reflect the cultural diversity in my community. |
44% |
28% |
28% |
| The RCMP is dealing with the things that matter to people in this community. |
50% |
27% |
23% |
| I feel a moral duty to follow police orders. |
77% |
12% |
11% |
| I generally support how the RCMP usually acts. |
67% |
15% |
19% |
| I would help the RCMP if asked. |
82% |
12% |
6% |
Table 4: Sensitivity
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
| The RCMP is sensitive to the needs of different cultures and groups. |
39% |
24% |
37% |
| The RCMP is respectful to the cultural needs of Indigenous people. |
34% |
21% |
45% |
| The RCMP treats women fairly. |
39% |
19% |
41% |
| The RCMP is sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ2S communities. |
35% |
33% |
32% |
Table 5: Visibility and responsiveness
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
| RCMP personnel have a visible presence in my community/province/territory. |
51% |
17% |
32% |
| The RCMP is effective at responding quickly to calls for assistance. |
54% |
29% |
17% |
| The RCMP is contributing to traffic safety in my province or territory. |
53% |
20% |
27% |
| The RCMP makes decisions based on facts. |
55% |
27% |
18% |
| The RCMP is a forward-looking, innovative organization. |
36% |
27% |
36% |
Note
Percentages exclude those who replied "don't know" or "no opinion".
Table 6: Priorities of the RCMP
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
| The RCMP is addressing youth involvement in crime as both victims and offenders. |
51% |
30% |
18% |
| The RCMP is reducing the threat and impact of organized crime. |
66% |
19% |
15% |
| The RCMP is reducing the threat and impact of serious crime, such as murder, sexual assault, robbery and arson. |
63% |
20% |
18% |
| The RCMP is effective at resolving crimes where violence is involved. |
63% |
21% |
15% |
| The RCMP is effectively responding to threats to national security. |
69% |
18% |
13% |
| The RCMP is effectively responding to radicalization to violent extremism. |
57% |
21% |
22% |
| The RCMP is effectively responding to threats to Canadian passenger aircraft. |
64% |
29% |
6% |
| The RCMP is contributing to safer Indigenous communities. |
39% |
21% |
40% |
| The RCMP is advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples of Canada. |
34% |
24% |
41% |
| The RCMP is contributing to more informed and resilient Canadians. |
43% |
30% |
27% |
| The RCMP is reducing the overall impact of economic crime. |
51% |
26% |
22% |
| The RCMP is effectively responding to cybercrime threats. |
55% |
24% |
20% |
| The RCMP is effectively addressing online scams. |
47% |
24% |
29% |
| The RCMP is reducing the production, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs. |
60% |
21% |
19% |
| The RCMP is effectively responding to threats at the border between the ports of entry. |
63% |
20% |
17% |
| I am aware that the RCMP participates in a variety of international activities, such as peacekeeping missions and offering training to foreign police. |
68% |
14% |
17% |
| The RCMP rapidly adapts to new and emerging priorities. |
44% |
27% |
29% |
| About how often would you say that the RCMP in your neighbourhood exceeds their authority? |
16% |
19% |
66% |
Contact with the RCMP
Table 7: In the past year, did you have any direct contact with the RCMP, such as reporting a crime, being stopped for a traffic offence or accident, seeking information or any other reason?
| n/a |
Percentages |
| Yes |
29% |
| No |
70% |
| Don't know |
1% |
Table 8: What was the reason for your most recent contact with the RCMP?
| n/a |
Percentages |
| For a criminal matter |
16% |
| For a traffic offence or an accident |
23% |
| For a complaint |
14% |
| For a natural disaster, e.g. flood, wildfire |
0% |
| For a crime prevention activity, project, or program |
8% |
| For another reason |
39% |
| Don't know |
1% |
Table 9: Still thinking of the most recent contact, did you initiate the contact with the RCMP yourself?
| n/a |
Percentages |
| Yes |
62% |
| No |
37% |
| Don't know |
1% |
Table 10: Views on contact with the RCMP
| n/a |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
Don't know |
| It was easy to get in touch with the RCMP. |
85% |
3% |
11% |
0% |
| RCMP personnel treated me fairly. |
82% |
6% |
10% |
0% |
| RCMP personnel demonstrated professionalism. |
83% |
4% |
11% |
1% |
| RCMP personnel were courteous and respectful. |
83% |
5% |
10% |
0% |
| RCMP personnel were knowledgeable and competent. |
77% |
9% |
11% |
2% |
| RCMP personnel delivered the service in a timely fashion. |
73% |
9% |
12% |
2% |
| RCMP personnel went beyond minimum requirements in providing good service. |
54% |
18% |
23% |
2% |
| RCMP personnel gave me all the information that I needed for the situation. |
73% |
8% |
16% |
1% |
| Satisfied with the service you received during your contact(s) with the RCMP. |
71% |
9% |
13% |
1% |
