Early updates on addressing the recommendations
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The information on and linked from this webpage references the mass casualty that occurred in Nova Scotia in April 2020. This information may be disturbing or upsetting to some audiences.
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On April 18 and 19, 2020, the lives of 22 people were taken and three others were injured in several communities across Nova Scotia. What took place was unimaginable and will have a lasting impact on the victims and their families, the citizens of Nova Scotia and all Canadians.
The Mass Casualty Commission was struck to examine the incident, and make meaningful recommendations to make communities safer in the future. Its Final Report outlines 130 recommendations. This includes 33 recommendations that are under the direct control of the RCMP, and another 55 recommendations where the RCMP is contributing to the work. These recommendations call for significant changes to how Canadians approach community safety and policing across the country.
We are taking a holistic, organization-wide approach to respond to the report and implement its recommendations.
Our approach to change
We began efforts to improve almost immediately after the incident, as well as throughout the Commission's proceedings. The most significant improvements made to date have been in the use of Alert Ready across Canada, as well as in emergency response team resourcing and radio communications in Nova Scotia.
Over the past two decades, the RCMP has been subject to a number of external reviews that have touched on all aspects of the organization - from culture, to governance, to operations. Our response to these reviews has not always been fulsome, and we haven't always been transparent about our progress to implement their findings and recommendations.
Given the scope and impact of the Mass Casualty Commission report, and the need to support transformational changes across the RCMP that go beyond the report, we created a new sector - Reform, Accountability and Culture - in May 2023. Amongst other issues such as the future of contract policing and Federal Policing transformation, this new sector will lead the RCMP's efforts to implement the recommendations. Dedicated employees within this sector have been hard at work assessing the recommendations with subject matter experts from across the country. Our goal is to ensure that we understand all of the various elements that must be addressed to realize the spirit and intent of the recommendations.
Given the report calls for sweeping reforms to how Canada approaches public safety at large, the RCMP is also working collaboratively with our federal, provincial and territorial, and Indigenous partners.
March 2024 updates
We are pleased to provide this update as we continue to advance on the recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission. There is still more work to be done, and we are committed to being transparent and accountable to the public through regular updates on our progress.
Critical incident management – improving our response to managing crises
Importance
The Mass Casualty Commission, as well as the Public Order Emergency Commission, clearly stated that we must renew our approach to managing crises. This includes, but is not limited to:
- mass casualty incidents
- illegal occupations
- natural disasters
That's why we have launched an expansive effort to refresh our approach to managing crises. This marks the first time we have examined the entire cycle of crisis management from this holistic perspective, including:
- pre-incident preparedness and planning
- management of the incident itself
- victim-centric, post-incident response
As part of this approach, we're working to make sure that all RCMP employees and first responders who have a responsibility during a critical incident understand their role, and how they contribute to the broader response.
Actions
- Increased use of emergency alerts (across Canada, including Nova Scotia) in situations where an emerging or active incident may put the public in direct harm following the creation of new policies and training. These alerts inform the public of a direct or emerging threat, as well as provide necessary directions on how to stay safe. Alert Ready is also now part of the learning curriculum for all cadets at the RCMP's training academy. Its use is now more clearly outlined in our operational policies.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations C.4, C.5, P.1, P.17, P.18, P.22, P.19, and P.20
- Developed a comprehensive checklist and quick reference guide to help front-line personnel better plan and respond to a crisis. These new tools will also help ensure we are taking a trauma-informed approach to supporting affected members of the public, as well as our own personnel.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations C.8, C.9, C.12, and P.1
- Rolled out software across the RCMP that will allow us to track the exact locations and movements of all our officers in the field in real-time. All police officers in Nova Scotia are using this software and all RCMP divisions the country have access to it. Knowing where our officers are will help us coordinate responses to incidents more effectively and help us identify anyone who may be pretending to be an RCMP officer.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations P.1, P.2, P.4, P.5, P.6, P.8, P.9, P.15, P.16, P.17, P.18, and P.20
In addition, we are currently:
- developing a searchable inventory of all employees' specialized skills and capabilities that can be centrally supported from national headquarters. This can help us quickly and efficiently identify and deploy employees with specialized skills during a crisis. This inventory will help RCMP divisions better access specialized capabilities during a crisis such as air support, operational intelligence analysis, geospatial mapping and more.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations C.2, C.7, C.8, P.1, P.2, P.4, P.5, P.6, P.8, P.9, P.11, P.15, P.16, P.17, P.18, P.23, and P.24
- reviewing our command-and-control model used during critical incidents to integrate more seamlessly with other police and emergency services during these situations. This work will be done in consultation with police services from across the country. Having a standardized model will also help us with our response to critical incident or other emergency situations.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations P.1, P.2, P.4, P.5, P.6, P.8, P.9, P.15, P.16, P.17, P.18, and P.20
Advice of the Management Advisory Board
Importance
In November 2023, the Management Advisory Board began publishing its advice and recommendations to its website. Unless there are immediate concerns from an operational perspective, or the information is subject to mandatory exemptions under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act, the Board will continue to make its advice public.
Actions
We agree with this approach and have started posting our official responses to the Board's advice on our website for transparency.
Improving our policies
Importance
We are working on updating many of our policies to reduce access to our uniforms, equipment and decommissioned vehicles to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands. This will severely limit a person's ability to pose as an RCMP officer.
Actions
- Strengthened our policies for how we manage and dispose our police uniforms and equipment. We have reviewed and updated our procedures for the uniform disposal process and continue to monitor compliance to better track and prevent possible misuse. We have also improved our process for disposing equipment and uniform items when an officer leaves or retires. These efforts are further strengthened in Nova Scotia, where legislation enacted in May 2023 now prohibits the use, possession, sale or reproduction of police-issued items by the public.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendation C.28
- Reviewed our police vehicle decommissioning process, both by internal and external experts. This is to ensure that we can safely decommission and sell our police vehicles in the event the current moratorium on the sale of them is lifted, and will better allow us to publicly report these sales. These policies will reduce the ability for people to purchase or build replica police vehicles, regardless of intent.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendation C.30
Improving recruitment
Importance
We have strengthened our efforts to enhance recruitment to meet our current and evolving needs, and to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. In recent years, we have made significant strides to make the recruitment process easier, faster, and more accessible to a broader range of candidates.
Our recruitment program has prioritized initiatives promoting diversity and inclusivity. We are implementing programs aimed at attracting individuals from underrepresented groups, such as racialized communities, women and Indigenous peoples, to create a workforce that mirrors the demographics of Canadian society. These inclusive recruitment practices not only enrich our organizational culture but also enhance our ability to effectively serve diverse communities across the country.
Actions
- Modified our approach to how we deploy new RCMP officers across the country. Under this new approach, we're working to place new graduates from our training academy in their preferred province for their first posting. We're also working to help them continue their careers in their home province or community, including in rural and remote postings. Allowing our officers to stay in their home community will help with recruitment efforts, and will lead to better quality policing services with improved knowledge of specific community needs and geography namely in rural areas, and enhanced relationship building.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations P.55, P.69
- A major market-based research project to inform an evidence-based approach for recruiting new officers. This market research data will allow us to attract a greater number of police applicants within our ranks to fill ongoing vacancies. It will also enable us to better attract and select candidates that possess the right skillsets and characteristics required to become an RCMP officer.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendation P.69
- The launch of our Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience program in October 2023. This program is aimed at attracting racialized and underrepresented persons wishing to join the RCMP. It also reflects our efforts to foster a culturally diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendation P.69
Responding to gender-based and intimate partner violence
Importance
We have begun work on specific initiatives aimed at supporting survivors and preventing future incidents of gender-based and intimate partner violence. These focused efforts reflect our unwavering commitment to fostering safer communities and upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals.
Actions
- Updates to our policies to better reflect Clare's Law, which will be applied in provinces where the law has been enacted. This allows individuals to seek, and police to release, information about their intimate partners' past abusive behaviour. In addition, we are making updates to our policies to ensure we apply a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach to our intimate partner violence investigations. We're also adding the need to consider other elements, such as coercive control.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations V.6, V.9, V.15, and P.75
Ongoing efforts include:
- working with experts to examine the use of supportive reporting centres within the communities we serve, so that those faced with gender-based and intimate partner violence can safely report instances of abuse in a victim-focused centre. Access to such resources can be especially important to those in rural and remote communities, where support services may not be readily available. In these situations, the RCMP could play a crucial role in providing victim support.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations V.6, V.9, V.15, and P.75
Focusing on wellness of our personnel and of victims
Importance
Recognizing the importance of mental health support, particularly in the aftermath of crises, we have taken proactive steps to ensure that our employees and their families have access to comprehensive resources and guidance.
Actions
- The creation of a resource guide for our employees and their families. This offers more guidance and direction on how to access the various mental health supports available after a crisis. This extensive document provides all employees and their families with valuable information on how to access these vital services.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations C.8, C.9, C.11, C.12, and P.1
- The expansion of psychological health screenings, which we've offered to officers in almost every RCMP division since 2021. We've since been expanded this to include officers working in the National Capital Region. This is an important step in support of the physical and mental health of our employees. We are committed to addressing the psychological impacts associated with police work, regardless of geographic location or rank.
- Supports the implementation of Mass Casualty Commission recommendations C.8, C.9, C.11, C.12, and P.1
Additional updates
- Recommendation P.59: RCMP Management Culture
- The RCMP has prepared an update to its action plan from September 2023 and has shared it with the Management Advisory Board as well as with the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs. Read the Progress update: Response to the Mass Casualty Commission recommendation P.59.
- Recommendation C.28: Management and Disposal of Police Uniform and Associated Kit
- The recommendation called for the RCMP, and other police services, to carry out quality assurance reviews of their inventory and disposal systems within one year of the publication of the Mass Casualty Commission report, and every three years thereafter. The RCMP's initial review was completed by its Audit and Advisory Services in 2023 (Review of Uniform and Dress Manual Policy Changes), and subsequent re-assessments will be considered as part of the organization's risk-based audit planning process.
September 2023 updates
The RCMP is pleased to report that it has met the timelines of two recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report that called on the RCMP to advance efforts within six-months of its release.
- Recommendation P.6: Front-Line Supervisor Training
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The RCMP should commission an external expert review of its initial critical incident response training for front-line supervisors (Initial Critical Incident Response (ICIR) 100 and Initial Critical Incident Response (ICIR) 200), to be completed within six months of the publication of this Final Report. This evaluation should be published on the RCMP's website.
Update
The external review was completed and delivered to the RCMP on September 27, 2023. The RCMP is currently reviewing the report, and preparing a workplan to implement its recommendations.
The RCMP is also assessing this recommendation within the context of others that relate to how the RCMP manages crises, including efforts to review:
- The RCMP's current model of complex/major incident response and evaluating other models that could enhance how the RCMP responds to these events
- Initial Critical Incident Response 100 and 200 level course content to assess feasibility of creating additional Initial Critical Incident Response levels to capture expanded material not presently covered.
Taken together, this work will help to further improve the RCMP's overall approach to managing crises.
- Recommendation P.59: RCMP Management Culture
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Within six months of the publication of this Report, the RCMP Commissioner provide to the responsible minister and the Management Advisory Board, and publish on the RCMP website, a document that explains the criteria on which the RCMP presently selects, develops, recognizes, and rewards its commissioned officers and those in equivalent civilian roles.
Update
The report is complete and available on our website. It provides an overview of efforts that were put in place to respond to recommendations from previous reviews in order to foster a healthy management culture at the RCMP, as well as a strategic approach to drive additional changes. The RCMP proactively consulted the Management Advisory Board early September 2023 to incorporate its feedback. A copy has also been provided to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Changes following April 2020
The RCMP began work to address gaps identified immediately after the mass casualty, and throughout the Mass Casualty Commission proceedings. The information below reflects some of the improvements made before the release of the Mass Casualty Commission's Final Report.
Since that time, the RCMP has been hard at work to move forward the recommendations to restore trust with Nova Scotians, Canadians and all those impacted.
Responding to critical incidents
The RCMP has specialized teams across the country that are trained and equipped to respond to critical incidents.
Since April 2020, we have doubled the number of full-time resources on Nova Scotia's emergency response team. We have also put protocols in place to ensure two or more police officers are available 24/7 to provide emergency medical support to the emergency response team.
Public communication
The RCMP has made improvements to the way we communicate with the public during a critical incident. Our goal is to ensure everyone receives information that can help them keep themselves safe.
Police across Canada are now using the Alert Ready system to issue emergency alerts. As a result, the RCMP has implemented robust national and divisional policies on public alerting. The Alert Ready system is also being integrated into the Cadet Training Program as another tool for cadets to use during scenario-based training.
We have also updated the RCMP's national crisis communications protocols, which help guide our communications with the public during critical incidents.
Operational communications
Effective communication during critical incidents is key to ensuring the safety of the public and police.
The RCMP in Nova Scotia has made improvements in this area, which include:
- Opening a new, centralized Operational Communications Centre
- Equipping all partner police agencies with capable radio communication encryption and ensuring preparedness through regular testing
- Reviewing and updating active shooter/active threat protocols as needed
- Providing mandatory training to RCMP officers in Nova Scotia on the Trunked Mobile Radio system, which provides communications throughout the Maritimes
- Providing the Operational Communications Centre with access to officers through their mobile work station while on shift
- Updating the Operational Communications Centre's Standard Operating Procedures on when more employees should be called in for support
Cooperation among police services
- The RCMP has been making efforts to improve communications and relationships with its policing partners in Nova Scotia. We continue to welcome close collaboration with our policing partners in Nova Scotia and across the country.
- We are looking to increase opportunities to work together with our partners, and have created a contact list to help share information.
Equipment
Having the right tools, technology, and equipment to respond during a critical incident is essential.
We have made several improvements in this area, which include:
- Rolling out Blue Force Tracking across Nova Scotia to track the locations of police officers, in real time, to enhance situational awareness – the rest of the provinces and territories will follow by the end of 2023
- Providing new thermal imaging equipment to RCMP officers in Nova Scotia as another tool to use in low-light conditions
- Equipping specialized vehicles in Nova Scotia with mobile workstations
- Rolling out Body-Worn Cameras as a national standard for all general duty front-line RCMP officers across the country, which will be field tested shortly in Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Nunavut
- Initiating a process for a new general duty pistol for RCMP officers across Canada
Training
It is essential that police officers have the skills and training they need to respond to critical incidents. We have updated our training and have implemented several changes to address topics including:
- Public alerting
- The Incident Management Intervention Model
- De-escalation
- Immediate Action Rapid Deployment
- Carbines
- Using night vision devices during rural operations
- Breaching (forced entry) techniques
- First aid
- Roll out of body-worn cameras
In Nova Scotia, the RCMP has exceeded benchmarks in all areas of operational training. For instance:
- 93% of operational police officers are Immediate Action Rapid Deployment trained
- 91% of operational police officers are Initial Critical Incident Response 100 trained
- 76% of operational frontline supervisors are trained in Initial Critical Incident Response 200
- 82% of frontline police officers are carbine trained and current
A new mandatory training model will begin in April 2023 and include the following:
- Vehicle and exterior tactics
- Refresher of the Immediate Action Rapid Deployment – designed to maintain officer safety skills related to responding to an active threat
- Scenario-based training – 100+ standardized operationally-relevant scenarios which incorporate real-time decision-making, the Incident Management Intervention Model, and de-escalation techniques, informed by actual public and police encounters
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
The RCMP is improving its capacity across the country to better respond to gender-based and intimate partner violence. Some of our recent efforts include:
- Launching a new course on Collaborative Police Action on Intimate Partner Violence
- Supporting potential victims of intimate partner violence through Clare's Law in provinces that have passed legislation
- Supporting efforts to combat intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and self-harm involving firearms
- Supporting and collaborating with community organizations on initiatives related to relationship and family violence
Victim services
We strive to provide victims, survivors, and families with the support they need following a critical incident. The RCMP is making improvements to ensure its services are timely, sensitive and trauma-informed.
We have several courses on the values and approaches that should guide investigations, which include:
- Cultural Awareness and Humility
- Using a Trauma-Informed Approach
- Sexual Offence Investigations
The principles covered in these courses are also integrated throughout the Cadet Training Program.
The RCMP has created an employee and family resource guide with information and resources available to employees, veterans and their families.
We have updated our policy in regards to child abuse investigations, and are in the process of updating policies on victim assistance, and investigations involving elder abuse and abuse in relationships.
Access to firearms
The RCMP continues to support and strengthen efforts to combat the smuggling, trafficking, and misuse of firearms.
The Canadian Firearms Program is focusing on:
- Improving law enforcement partner knowledge of firearms investigative procedures
- Enhancing law enforcement partner access to investigation supports
- Integrating data and intelligence in operations
- Raising awareness on the value of firearms tracing
Crime scene management
Managing a crime scene involves protecting both the evidence of the crime as well as the victims and survivors. We strive to complete this work in a way that is respectful, supportive and timely.
Operational policy is currently under review as it relates to contacting the property owner of a crime scene, when feasible and appropriate to coordinate cleaning.
We have included a section on the roles and responsibilities of crime scene managers in the RCMP's newly created National Major Case Management Guide.
National Office of Investigative Standards Review
The RCMP's National Office of Investigative Standards provides support, training and oversight across the organization. They are currently working on:
- Assessing the mass casualty criminal investigative file
- Improving the staffing process for major case team commanders to make it more robust
- Increasing divisional file reviews to promote successful investigations and use of major case management principles
- Distributing the newly created National Major Case Management Guide
- Developing and deploying training to support investigative units across the RCMP
Police vehicle and uniform disposal
We completed an internal review of police vehicle disposal, which led to several enhancements across the country.
An external review of sales was also completed to examine industry practices on disposal of police vehicles and equipment.
In Nova Scotia, the RCMP has:
- Reviewed kit and clothing disposal policies and procedures, and ensured compliance with the Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act
- Implemented a new directive to reinforce the tracking of uniform and equipment
Civilian review and oversight
Civilian review is essential for public trust and confidence following a critical incident.
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP is an independent body that:
- Reviews complaints about police officer conduct
- Provides recommendations for policies and practices
The RCMP has increased its ability to respond to public complaints, as a key component of becoming a more modern, agile organization. Parliament is currently considering legislation that may further strengthen the role of the independent review body for the RCMP.
The RCMP Management Advisory Board continues to provide external advice and guidance to the RCMP on key issues impacting the organization.
Employee wellness
The RCMP is taking positive steps to improve mental health and wellness in the workplace. We are updating our programs, services and tools to better support employees following a critical incident.
The RCMP has made several improvements in Nova Scotia, which include:
- Developing a new comprehensive wellness strategy
- Increasing wellness support sessions
- Improving mental health screening
- Increasing support staff in our employee health and wellness programs and employee services
Nationally, we have a National Reintegration Program to help build confidence and support an officer's return to work following a traumatic or critical incident.
The RCMP has created a dedicated Family Program that offers guidance, supports and outreach services to families of RCMP employees with a focus on those supports required following a critical incident.
Our Support for Operational Stress Injury program connects both current and former RCMP officers with a peer support network of people who have experienced an operational stress injury.
The Health Benefits Program, through the Health Benefits Advisory Committee continues to review new out-patient and in-patient treatment programs for potential registration as providers for the RCMP; this grows our network of facilities that can support our members with operational stress injuries.
Launched in 2022, the Well-being Ambassador Program has 11 full-time ambassadors across divisions. The RCMP's well-being ambassadors:
- Provide additional support to the divisions
- Engage with employees
- Identify hazards
- Propose solutions
- Ensure the right programs, tools and resources are in place to best support employee psychological health and safety in each division
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