Common menu bar links
Breadcrumb Trail
ARCHIVED - Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP
This page has been archived.
Archived Content
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
SECTION II – ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES BY STRATEGIC OUTCOME
Analysis by Program Activity
RCMP members are held publicly accountable for their conduct in the performance of their duties.
Program Activity Name
Civilian review of RCMP members' conduct in the performance of their duties.
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,676 | 5,187 | 5,187 |
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 44 | 44 |
Program Activity Description:
The CPC is an independent federal agency established in 1988 to review public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members in a fair and impartial manner.
The fundamental role of the CPC is to provide civilian oversight of RCMP members’ conduct in the performance of their policing duties. The CPC holds the RCMP accountable to the public by providing, at the request of complainants, an independent review of the RCMP’s disposition of complaints and by making recommendations to the RCMP Commissioner.
Members of the public may make complaints about the conduct of RCMP members to the RCMP, the CPC or the provincial authority responsible for policing. Complaints are normally sent to the RCMP first. The RCMP then conducts an investigation as to the alleged misconduct and issue a ruling in the first instance. The RCMP Commissioner is required to report the results of investigations to complainants. If complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP’s handling of the complaint, they may ask the CPC for a review of their case. The Chair of the CPC may also initiate a complaint if he considers there are reasonable grounds.
When reviewing a complaint, the CPC does not act as an advocate either for the complainant or for RCMP members. Rather, its role is to conduct an independent inquiry and reach objective conclusions based on the information available.
In conducting its review, the CPC considers all relevant information provided by the complainant and the RCMP. If it is not satisfied that the information is complete, it asks the RCMP for additional information or, where appropriate, conducts its own independent investigation.
The Chair also has the authority to hold a public interest hearing to inquire into a complaint.
If the Chair or Vice-Chair is not satisfied with the RCMP’s handling of a complaint, the CPC produces an interim report of its findings and recommendations; after the RCMP Commissioner replies to the interim report, a final report is forwarded to the Minister of Public Safety, to the Commissioner of the RCMP and to the parties. Alternatively, if the Chair or Vice-Chair concludes that the RCMP responded adequately to the complainant's concerns, a final report is delivered stating that the RCMP’s handling of the complaint was satisfactory.
Because of its role, the CPC is in a unique position to contribute to the overall Government of Canada outcomes, more specifically to safe and secure communities.
Expected Results:
- Improve access to and openness of the public complaints process.
- Strengthen the complaint and review processes.
- Undertake strategic policy analysis and produce research-based analysis to improve the relevance of review recommendations and to identify continuing, emerging and new complaint trends.
This single program activity supports each of the CPC’s priorities in a number of ways. In order to be effective in providing civilian review of RCMP members’ conduct the CPC must provide a service that is open and accessible to the communities it serves. The process should be efficient and effective, providing for a timely and quality product; it must be carried out by dedicated and committed public servants who work in a healthy and fulfilling environment and be led by a team that can deliver within the management and policy frameworks laid down by Parliament and the Central Agencies.
Over the next year and throughout the planning period the CPC will work to support and influence the government’s position/actions flowing from the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar, the ongoing results of the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 and the recommendations of the final report of the Task Force on Governance and Cultural Change in the RCMP.
It will begin a program of enhanced research and information management capacity with the intention of devoting more resources to the analysis of emerging trends and providing strategic policy advice to government.
It will expand its outreach and communications function to reach marginalized and disaffected communities and it will continue to foster a workplace of choice.