The Commissioner: Maybe ‘he’ should do the right thing?

The news headline on almost every channel and in every newspaper today (3/2/15) features the sudden resignation of Conservative Foreign Minister, John Baird.  He is gracefully slipping out of the public eye before the upcoming election.  I won’t speculate on the outcome of the National Election, but I will wonder out loud if the Commissioner should follow along before his inept management of the Force is “outed” by your newly acquired (potential) power to do so?

If you are somewhere around thirty years of age you probably don’t remember the days when the Commissioner and the organization were more respected by the Canadian public.  This is not to say that the “outfit” was perfect, it still had its’ share of bad publicity, and was criticized in Parliament.  However, the men in charge commanded respect from both the Canadian public and the membership.

The former Commissioner (1987-1994) Norm Inkster was a “member’s member” whose straight ahead approach earned not only the membership’s respect but also that of the country.  His successor Phil Murray (1994-2000) headed up the organization during difficult times of budget cuts and government interference.  He was also greatly respected for being genuine and not wearing a “political face”.  In contrast, the civilian William Elliott who is remembered for ducking responsibility and for being at the helm during several national embarrassments including poor investigations, reckless use of the Taser, and perjury on the stand.

Mr. Elliott’s predecessors, the first female Commissioner, Beverly Busson (2006-2007) and Guiliano Zaccardelli (2000-2006) distinguished their careers by being remembered as the two who triggered the Force’s downward slide.

In the “chair of honour” now, sits Mr. Paulson, under whose leadership the “outfit” has lost much of its’ own membership’s confidence; to say nothing of the nation’s.  The once proud RCMP, in my humble opinion, has never seen darker days.  Members are breaking the law, committing suicide, continuing to mishandle investigations, and sexually assaulting each other on a regular basis.

Do you suppose the present government has any motivation to “clean house” and get the “outfit” back on track?  Neither do I!  The Prime Minister would have to take his Deputy Minister of Public Safety (Mr. Paulson) aside and read the “riot act” to him; making it quite clear that his job depended on repairing broken policies and systems; and getting rid of the “dead wood” in the Senior Executive positions, not to continue excusing and defending them.  Do you think this is a possibility?  Neither do I!

I don’t have the space here to run through the litany of cases where the RCMP investigated themselves and (surprise, surprise!!) these investigations resulted in only a few (or, no) convictions (e.g. Ian Bush, Robert Dziekanski).  This is not considered good public relations with even the most unsophisticated of the Canadian public.  Does your “esteemed leader” get it?  I don’t think so either!

It would not be a huge jump of intellect for the Commissioner of the RCMP to suggest that the Force’s public image could change overnight; if when involved in deaths, serious injuries, or sexual assaults that these files be referred to an outside, police service or provincial agency.  C’mon, this is not revolutionary stuff!  Almost all police services in Canada do it.

Notice that the Prime Minister remains silent on this specific issue.  This of course, gives his Deputy Minister unspoken approval.  The latter can continue obstructing the Public Complaints Commission, supporting the status quo, and resisting change.

Conveniently, this state of affairs allows the Conservatives to legitimately state with gusto that they didn’t create the mess.  The notion that by the time they came into office the RCMP was already “running amok”, was above the law, and couldn’t be changed.

Are you aware of the growth of private policing?  It has begun; with parking police, traffic police, the likes of security companies e.g. Burns, ADT.  It’s very popular in Europe and growing quickly in the USA.  And it’s much more cost effective than paying you.  Are you getting the picture?  Do you suppose now would be the time to join MPPAC?  Do you care about the Force’s national reputation and/or your job?

“Awareness is good, but action is better”

Dr. Mike Webster, R. Psych.