A troubling surge in misconduct allegations rocked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2024, with a reported 443 accusations leveled against 408 employees. This represents a significant 12% increase from the previous year, signaling a growing internal challenge for the national police force.
The consequences were stark. At least 20 RCMP members were forced to leave their positions, either through dismissal or resignation, a clear indication of the severity of the breaches. Nearly a quarter of all investigated cases resulted in serious disciplinary action, impacting career progression and financial standing.
Demotions within the RCMP more than doubled compared to the prior two years, with ten employees stripped of their rank. While the majority – 70% – received corrective measures like additional training or increased supervision, the most severe outcomes, termination or forced resignation, were applied in roughly 5% of cases.
The range of alleged misconduct is deeply concerning, encompassing issues from inappropriate social media activity and abuse of authority to instances of sexual misconduct and even violations of the Criminal Code. These accusations paint a picture of a complex internal landscape.
The findings were detailed in a recently released report, the fifth annual assessment of the RCMP’s conduct process. While the report doesn’t delve into specifics of individual cases, the sheer volume of allegations demands attention and scrutiny.
RCMP leadership acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing a commitment to “respect, accountability, and transparency.” Building and maintaining public trust, they stated, is fundamentally linked to addressing these internal issues.
Interestingly, the number of misconduct cases has returned to pre-pandemic levels. A dip in reported incidents between 2021 and 2023 was attributed to the widespread adoption of remote work arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of those facing allegations were front-line officers: 61% were constables and 17% were corporals. Civilian employees, such as administrators and 911 dispatchers, accounted for a smaller percentage, around 3%, of the reported cases.
This internal review comes as the federal government has mandated annual reports on misconduct across all departments and agencies. Similar reports have revealed issues within other federal organizations, highlighting a broader need for accountability.
The RCMP has pledged to further assess and refine its approach to serious misconduct, including a thorough review of the entire investigation process. This commitment suggests a recognition that systemic changes may be necessary to address the root causes of these issues.
