ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Commission for Public Complaints Against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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SECTION II
ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
BY STRATEGIC OUTCOME

Analysis of Program Activity
by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome

Uphold safe communities by promoting the Canadian values of respect for human and civil rights, multiculturalism and diversity, equality and fairness, and respect for the rule of law.

Program Activity

Civilian oversight of RCMP members' conduct in the performance of their duties.

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 CPC's fundamental role 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 Commissioner of the RCMP.

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 Commissioner of the RCMP is required to report the results of its investigations to complainants. If complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP's handling of their complaint, they may ask the CPC for a review of their case. The Chair of the CPC may also initiate a complaint if he believes 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 complainants and the RCMP. If not satisfied that such 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 Commissioner of the RCMP replies to the interim report, a final report is forwarded to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Commissioner of the RCMP and the parties involved. 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.

Expected Results

1. The CPC's findings and recommendations are accepted by the Commissioner of the RCMP.
   
2. The CPC's recommendations influence RCMP conduct and national policing policy.

Support for CPC Priorities

The CPC's program activity fully supports its priorities for the planning period by requiring that the CPC's program cover the broadest scope of RCMP activities within its mandate, be delivered to the largest range of stakeholders, and be provided with the most efficient and effective means available within its resource capacity. The CPC has one program activity, as described above, and five core sub-activities: receipt of complaints, conduct of reviews and appeals, public interest activities, communications, and Public Security and Antiterrorism (PSAT) oversight.

Performance Indicators

1. Quantity and quality of interactions among the complainant, the RCMP and the CPC, enabling the complainant's story to be heard, recorded and followed up on.
   
2. Findings and recommendations accepted by the Commissioner of the RCMP [short-term].
   
3. Amendments to RCMP policy and training practices as a result of CPC reviews, investigations and hearings [medium-term].
   
4. Changes in public perception as it relates to the role of the RCMP [long-term].

SECTION III
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

CPC Organization

Organizational Structure

Rationale for Organization Structure ­ Roles and Responsibilities

The top executive structure composed of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, Members, the Executive Director and the General Counsel has been in existence since the CPC was established.

The senior management structure, however, has changed and grown gradually over the last 10 years. It was finally established in early 2005 to provide for optimum accountability for at least the medium term. An organizational design review has recently been undertaken and recommendations are being considered for implementation.

Chair

The Chair is the Chief Executive Officer and full-time member of the CPC. The Chair is appointed by order of the Governor in Council. The Chair has supervision over and direction of the work and staff of the CPC. The current Chair was appointed in October of 2005.

The Chair has a full-time Vice-Chair who reports directly to him. The Chair may delegate to the Vice-Chair any of his powers, duties or functions, except the power to delegate and the duty to submit an annual report for tabling in Parliament.

The Chair may have a complement of 27 full- or part-time members who may be assigned to conduct hearings. Reporting directly to the Chair are the Executive Director and the General Counsel.

Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair of the CPC assists and supports the Chair. The Vice-Chair may be called upon to initiate alternative dispute resolution of complaints when appropriate. The Vice-Chair takes responsibility on behalf of the Chair, when delegated, for preparation and delivery of all interim and final reports following reviews, investigations and hearings, including the findings and recommendations contained therein. The Vice-Chair position was vacant for a year, but was filled in October 2005.

Members

Members of the CPC are appointed on a part-time basis by order of the Governor in Council for each province and territory that contracts for RCMP services, after consultation with the Minister or other elected representatives responsible for policing affairs in that province or territory. The CPC does not currently have any part-time members.

Executive Director

The Executive Director is a permanent position in the EX category reporting to the Chair and responsible for providing support to the Chair; leadership, strategic direction and oversight over the resources, operations, management and administrative infrastructure of the CPC; the continuing review, evaluation, streamlining and evolution of policies and processes; the management framework, and service delivery strategy; the development and implementation of a communications strategy; constructive relations with the RCMP and the provinces/territories; and the provision of advice on administrative matters to the Chair. As Senior Financial Officer, the Executive Director is required to develop and defend, before Treasury Board, justification for additional funding and to explore cooperative funding arrangements.

The following positions report directly to the Executive Director:

• Director General, Reviews
  
• Director, Complaints and Investigations
  
• Director, Major Projects and Research
  
• Director, Corporate Services and Comptroller
  
• Head of Communications

General Counsel

The General Counsel is a permanent position in the LA category reporting to the Chair and responsible for the management of the Legal Services Unit; the provision of legal advice, opinions and expertise to the CPC; and representation of the CPC at different levels of appeal, up to and including the Supreme Court of Canada. This includes advice on policy and procedures formulation, and respecting rules and procedures for the conduct of all CPC hearings.

The General Counsel manages the Legal Services Unit, including regular staff and part-time counsel; delegates legal work based on expertise and specialization of staff; provides prior advice on legal, interpretative, and conflicting legislative instruments issues; identifies the need for outside counsel; and exercises quality assurance over all CPC legal work.

POSITIONS REPORTING TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Director General, Reviews

The Director General, Reviews is a permanent position in the EX category, reporting to the Executive Director and accountable for overseeing the review and investigation of those complaints where the complainant is dissatisfied with the RCMP's handling of the complaint; developing and implementing a strategy to reduce the caseload of outstanding cases; developing a simplified process to increase output; reviewing, assessing and negotiating changes to RCMP plans to address recommendations; and developing recommendations for the provision of ministerial direction.

Director, Complaints and Investigations

The Director, Complaints and Investigations is a permanent position in the EX category reporting to the Executive Director and accountable for directing a complaints resolution process; developing tools, standards, guidelines, tracking, and control mechanisms to expedite the analysis and resolution of complaints; developing and promulgating Alternate Dispute Resolution procedures; designing, introducing and directing a complaints investigation regime; directing a community outreach program; developing and managing a pool of independent mediators; and marketing the complaints resolution and investigations functions with the RCMP and promoting an attitudinal change towards it on the part of the RCMP rank and file.

Director, Major Projects and Research

The Director, Major Projects and Research, is a permanent position in the EX category reporting to the Executive Director and responsible for monitoring current and evolving issues in the administration of justice and policing programs; developing criteria for the introduction of major projects; designing of project management frameworks, including funding rationale; managing major projects; organizing and conducting major public hearings; developing and manage innovative analytical frameworks and tools; developing and manage information systems; and providing advice to the CPC.

Director, Corporate Services and Comptroller

The Director, Corporate Services is currently a permanent position in the AS category which will transition to an FI-04 and be retitled Director of Corporate Services and Comptroller after the retirement of the incumbent. This position reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for providing advice and expertise to the Chair and Members on identification of needs, and on planning and management of the delivery of all of corporate services for the CPC; directing business planning, funding, resource allocation, organizational and service delivery; and providing expertise, advice and services in security, accommodation, information management and material management.

Corporate services include financial planning and services, business planning, information management, human resources, ATIP, systems, security, accommodations and facilities management, procurement, contracting, and library services.

The Comptrollership function is accountable for designing, developing, managing, implementing and promoting the CPC's strategic, business and operational planning framework; planning and managing the preparation and consolidation of documents such as the Program Activity Architecture, Business Plan, Annual Reference Level Update, Estimates, Report on Plans and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Report; managing the preparation of mandatory reports and financial statements to Central Agencies; providing professional advice and guidance to all managers and staff on all aspects of financial planning, operations and administration and on related government planning, legislation, policies, practices and procedures and generally accepted accounting practices; and conducting financial reviews and challenging Treasury Board submissions, budget proposals and the accuracy of financial models.

Head of Communications

This is a permanent position in the IS category reporting to the Executive Director and responsible for developing communication strategies, plans, advice, products and services; managing the translation and editing unit; supporting for the Chair, Vice-Chair, Executive Director, senior management, and staff of the CPC; and managing the content in all Treasury Board reports and the CPC's Annual Report as well as all internal and external communication documents.

Adjustments include funding received through Governor General Special Warrants. The CPC received $1,428,770 from GG Special Warrant no. 1, $144,692 from GG Special Warrant no. 2 and $129,761 from GG Special Warrant no. 3 for a total of $1,703,223.

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