Reforms could prevent political pressure on the RCMP

(Ottawa) For a criminologist from Carleton University, the P^r Darryl Davies, doubts about the political pressure allegedly exerted on the RCMP Commissioner during the investigation into the Nova Scotia shooting in April 2020 demonstrates why she must report to Parliament, and not from the Minister of Public Security.

A parliamentary committee has called Brenda Lucki, former Public Safety Minister Bill Blair and other members of the RCMP to testify about what happened on April 28. During a telephone conversation, the commissioner would have promised to federal officials to provide information on the types of weapons used by the shooter during the killing.

According to handwritten notes from Superintendent Darren Campbell, then head of the investigation, into the shooting that claimed the lives of 22 people, Mr.^me Lucki allegedly said that this information was related to a gun control bill that the government wanted to introduce.

Mr Campbell chose not to say anything about the weapons, arguing that such an announcement could endanger the ongoing investigation.

M^me Lucki, Mr Blair and the Prime Minister’s Office deny political interference in the process.

The P^r Davies argues that this problem would not exist if the RCMP commissioner reported to Parliament, not the Minister of Public Safety.

“Thus, it would be very clear that the RCMP is an autonomous and independent organization and that its decisions would be free from political influence. »

Another criminologist does not believe that placing the commissioner under the responsibility of Parliament is the only solution.

The P^r Rob Gordon of Simon Fraser University concedes that the RCMP needs more civilian, non-political control. However, for this solution to be effective, its mandate will have to be examined first.

“It tries to fix too many things for too many people,” he said, explaining that national police in the United States and United Kingdom do not have to deal with rural and isolated areas.

He argues that numerous studies over the years have demonstrated the need for better civilian oversight of the RCMP, but governments lack the political will to establish it.

The opposition asked Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair several times on Thursday if he believed Mr. Campbell’s version. “I have never criticized an active member of the RCMP and I will not start,” he replied. I did not participate in the discussions that took place between the commissioner and her subordinates. We did not comment on this discussion, but I repeat that there was no interference in this matter”.

The P^r Gordon considers that the minister is only telling “irresponsible and disappointing nonsense”. As for his colleague, he believes that the government would rather defend the RCMP than impose reforms.

“This institution is in crisis. She has been dysfunctional for several years,” he says.

The parliamentary committee will resume its work on Tuesday.