Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP
Encyclopedia
The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP is an independent Canadian
government agency
responsible for complaint
s, as well as complaints from members of the RCMP, of improper conduct
of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
.
The interim chair of the CPC is Ian McPhail, Q.C. He was appointed as vice-chair on January 18, 2010.
Anyone, including a non-citizen, who has a concern about the conduct of an RCMP member can make a complaint. You do not have to be directly involved in the incident; you can make a complaint on behalf of someone else, or as a witness to an incident.
When a member of the public contacts the Commission, they are provided with same-day access to an experienced analyst who then assesses the needs of that person and identifies possible options for a way forward to addressing their concerns. These options include:
The CPC's National Intake Office in Surrey, B.C. processed 3,764 general enquiries, ADRs, and formal complaints against the RCMP in 2009.
The most common complaint issue relates to member attitude. This category of alleged complaint can include dismissive, rude, non-responsive or biased behaviour on the part of the member as well as behaviour that is seen to be unfair or lacking empathy.
Other complaint issues relate to quality of RCMP criminal investigation, arrest, vehicular incidents and issues surrounding allegations of police physical abuse
.
On June 14, 2010, legislation was tabled in the House of Commons of Canada to amend the RCMP Act and establish a new civilian review body to replace the CPC.
Bill C-38 builds upon the existing powers of the CPC, bringing civilian review of the RCMP into line with other modern review bodies. It responds to recommendations made by Justice O'Connor
, the Brown Task Force and key stakeholders.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
government agency
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
responsible for complaint
Complaint
In legal terminology, a complaint is a formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons that the filing party or parties In legal terminology, a complaint is a formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons (see: cause of action) that the filing party or parties In...
s, as well as complaints from members of the RCMP, of improper conduct
Conduct
Conduct may refer to:*Behavior**a personal behavior, a way of acting and showing one's behaviour**using hand gestures to direct*Action , in relation to moral or ethical precepts*Conducting a musical ensemble...
of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
.
The interim chair of the CPC is Ian McPhail, Q.C. He was appointed as vice-chair on January 18, 2010.
Anyone, including a non-citizen, who has a concern about the conduct of an RCMP member can make a complaint. You do not have to be directly involved in the incident; you can make a complaint on behalf of someone else, or as a witness to an incident.
When a member of the public contacts the Commission, they are provided with same-day access to an experienced analyst who then assesses the needs of that person and identifies possible options for a way forward to addressing their concerns. These options include:
- Enquiries may include requests for information about police authority, obtaining assistance in furthering an investigation or gaining an understanding of the role of Crown counsel.
- Alternative Dispute ResolutionAlternative dispute resolutionAlternative Dispute Resolution includes dispute resolution processes and techniques that act as a means for disagreeing parties to come to an agreement short of litigation. ADR basically is an alternative to a formal court hearing or litigation...
(ADR): The Commission employs skilled analysts, trained in mediation, who function as neutral and objective intermediaries to assist with conflict resolution between the public and the RCMP. - A formal complaint involves a complainant and a CPC analyst completing an official complaint form. The complaint is then written up and sent to the RCMP for investigation. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the RCMP's investigation, he or she can request that the CPC conduct a review of the investigation.
The CPC's National Intake Office in Surrey, B.C. processed 3,764 general enquiries, ADRs, and formal complaints against the RCMP in 2009.
The most common complaint issue relates to member attitude. This category of alleged complaint can include dismissive, rude, non-responsive or biased behaviour on the part of the member as well as behaviour that is seen to be unfair or lacking empathy.
Other complaint issues relate to quality of RCMP criminal investigation, arrest, vehicular incidents and issues surrounding allegations of police physical abuse
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.-Forms of physical abuse:*Striking*Punching*Belting*Pushing, pulling*Slapping*Whipping*Striking with an object...
.
On June 14, 2010, legislation was tabled in the House of Commons of Canada to amend the RCMP Act and establish a new civilian review body to replace the CPC.
Bill C-38 builds upon the existing powers of the CPC, bringing civilian review of the RCMP into line with other modern review bodies. It responds to recommendations made by Justice O'Connor
Dennis O'Connor (judge)
Dennis R. O'Connor is the current Associate Chief Justice of Ontario and sits on the Court of Appeal for Ontario.O'Connor attended Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto. He practised law from 1973 until 1976. From 1976 to 1980 he became a teacher at the University of Western Ontario...
, the Brown Task Force and key stakeholders.