New advisory board to help RCMP modernize amid history of bullying, harassment
Posted January 16, 2019 7:19 am.
Last Updated January 16, 2019 10:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The federal government is appointing civilian advisers to help the RCMP modernize after years of grappling with internal bullying and harassment.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki have announced the creation of a management advisory board, adding the feds have also accepted all recommendations made by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP and Sheila Fraser in reports on harassment within the RCMP.
“There can be no room and no tolerance for workplace harassment, bullying, or sexual misconduct — or misconduct of any kind,” Goodale says.
Members of an interim board will be in place by April 1, with legislative changes coming this spring to make the board permanent.
“New and valuable perspectives to help us make sound decisions that support our people and our communities,” Lucki says.
Initially, the mandate of the board will focus on priorities such as supporting the development of a strategy that puts people first, RCMP business modernization and employee health and well-being.
Goodale says 13 independent experts will sit on the board to provide the RCMP Commissioner with advice on a wide scope of management issues, but the priority is Human Resources and the well-being of officers and employees.
He points out it will not take part in any law enforcement activities, but will help the Commissioner transform the force.
The board will also not have the power to force Mounties to accept its advice, however, Goodale says he has the power to step in should that be required.
The minister says this is only one step in addressing problems within the RCMP, and more could be coming this spring.
“The minister has the authority still to issue directives,” Goodale adds.
Skeptical, but hopeful: Prominent former Mountie weighs in
A prominent former Mountie who brought forward her own claims of sexual harassment against the RCMP says she’s hopeful the new changes can make a difference.
One of the big issues, according to Catherine Galliford, is that when these issues have been brought forward in the past, other police agencies have been brought in to investigate.
The former RCMP Corporal says that system has not worked.
“So we need to have a completely independent oversight body that does understand the military structure of the RCMP, and how it works internally, but it has to be completely separate.”
Galliford — the face of the RCMP during the Robert Pickton murder investigation — was eventually given a medical discharge after suffering post traumatic stress.
“Modernization of the culture of the RCMP is definitely not going to be an easy task, if it’s even possible,” she tells NEWS 1130. “I’m hopeful that this will help change the culture of the RCMP. Am I skeptical? Yes, but that comes with experience.”
-With files from Kurtis Doering
