RCMP union tells Ottawa to stop making Mounties investigate colleagues
CBC The union representingRCMP officerssays one way to improve accountability in the national police force is to stop tasking Mounties with investigating colleagues accused of wrongdoing.
The federal government is working to pass a bill that would expand the mandate of the RCMP's watchdog, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission, before Parliament rises for the summer break.
Brian Sauv, president of theNational Police Federation,is arguing that the bill needs amendments to make the review system "fully independent."
As it stands, when a member of the public feels they have been unfairly or improperly treated by an RCMP officer, they are directed to lodge a complaint with their local detachment.
If the complainant doesn't agree with the RCMP's finding, then they can kick their complaint up to the CRCC, which ismeant to be an independent review body.
"Our members handle these investigations of their colleaguesin a professional and impartial manner. However, this does create a perception of bias and possible conflict of interest,"Sauv recently told the House of Commons standing committee on public safety and national security.
