Summary of the Evaluation of the RCMP Reserve Program

On this page

• Context
• Methodology
• What we found
• Recommendations

Context

The RCMP Reserve Program exists to alleviate operational pressures caused by major events, emergencies, and temporary resource shortages resulting from vacancies and employee leave. Treasury Board has assigned a cap of 800 reservists for the organization. As of December 1, 2024, there were 479 reservists in the RCMP. Reservists perform the same duties as RCMP Regular Members and therefore must maintain the same training and health qualifications.

The objective of the evaluation conducted by RCMP National Program Evaluation Services was to examine the effectiveness and efficiency (that is, mandate, management and delivery) of the RCMP Reserve Program in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Results. A commitment was made to Treasury Board to evaluate the Reserve Program by 2025/26.

The evaluation focused on four questions:

1. Is the Reserve Program delivered effectively?
2. To what extent does the Reserve Program support reservists and prepare them for operational duty?
3. How effectively does the Reserve Program support RCMP police operations and service to communities?
4. Does the Reserve Program operate in a manner that maximizes resources?

Methodology

Interviews

24 interviews with 34 RCMP staff

Document review

Including policies, reports, strategic plan, previous reviews and evaluations

Internal survey

A survey of reservist supervisors

Performance data

Data related to compliance, human resources and finances

Site visits

3 site visits where the work of 20 reservists was observed

Case Studies

Including a file/data review and interviews with reservists and their supervisors

Comparative Analysis

Analysis of other organizations with a reserve program

What we found

1. A large number of soft and hard vacancies, coupled with high levels of client and reservist satisfaction, has led to increased demand for the Reserve Program.
2. Although the Reserve Program helps fill resource gaps, the lack of a clear mandate results in inconsistencies and an inability of the program to meet current organizational needs.
3. The RCMP's ability to expand and manage the Reserve Program is limited by inconsistent and insufficient resources dedicated to the program across the organization.
4. Despite the move to centralize the Reserve Program under the National Recruiting Program, there remain unresolved issues related to governance and oversight.
5. A large number of reservists do not meet training and physical health requirements set out in policy, which creates risks for the organization and the public.
6. Although there is general agreement that the rate of pay for reservists is appropriate, challenges and gaps related to processes, benefits and insurance coverage are leading to inequities and inefficiencies.

Recommendations

1. Clarify the mandate of the Reserve Program to meet the current operational needs of all business lines.
2. Based on the clarified mandate, review and strengthen the Reserve Program governance structure and clarify roles and responsibilities. This includes:
   • Reviewing the place of the Reserve Program within the RCMP's organizational structure
   • Reviewing the classification/rank and roles and responsibilities of divisional and NHQ reserve coordinators
   • Standardizing program policies and procedures, including the process for deployments and the management of call-outs
   • Developing a standardized costing framework and updated performance measurement strategy
3. Enhance internal and external communication. This includes:
   • Promoting the Reserve Program within the RCMP and with other Canadian police agencies;
   • Establishing formal engagement mechanisms among Reserve Program staff at NHQ and in the divisions; and,
   • Ensuring clear and consistent communication with reservists and hiring managers.
4. Review and update reservist health and training requirements and compliance monitoring processes.
5. Review reservist pay/benefits and explore opportunities for streamlining the reservist pay process.