(Ottawa) The RCMP has relaxed its policy on the consumption of cannabis by its officers. It simply requires that they be sober when they report for duty.
This policy replaces the one put in place in 2018 which prohibited front-line officers and several other employees in safety-sensitive positions from consuming cannabis products for the four weeks before returning to their position.
This amendment, which came into force on January 10, allows the RCMP to adopt a policy similar to that of many police forces across the country.
The National Police Federation (NPF), which represents nearly 20,000 RCMP members, welcomed the decision. She maintains that the previous policy did not fit with what already existed in other police forces.
Union president Brian Sauvé noted that NPF committees have been recommending a new review of the policy since 2020.
The RCMP acknowledged last summer that the 2018 policy was under review, but no final decision had been made at the time.
In the spring of 2023, a memo presented to RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme recommended a 24-hour abstinence period before entering duty. The memo included some exceptions.
“Police organizations that once had a zero tolerance policy or advocated 28 days of abstinence before taking office, today demand 24 hours of abstinence or that officers are simply fit to carry out their duties,” could -we read in the note obtained last year by La Presse Canadienne thanks to the Access to Information Act.
The union had informed management that the use of cannabis for recreational purposes was one of the most discussed topics during recruitment sessions.
Under the new policy, all RCMP employees must be fit to perform their duties when they report for duty, which includes not being impaired by alcohol or drugs.
“Substance use can have negative effects on the performance, conduct, well-being and work environment of the person concerned and others, and it can compromise the safety of police services,” warns the RCMP in its policy published on January 11 on its website.
The policy states that the risk of altered consciousness following the consumption of a substance such as cannabis varies depending on the person’s characteristics, consumption habits and the quality of the product consumed.
“So it can be different from one consumer to another and from one consumption to another. The safest way to avoid any safety risks is to refrain from consuming them. »
The RCMP says it reviewed all aspects of its operations before implementing its new policy.
“Many RCMP members operate in a unique operational environment and, serving as first responders in rural and isolated areas across the country, may be called back to work at any time. »
The RCMP will not provide further comment on its new policy.
In his statement, Brian Sauvé mentions that the policy excludes divers and pilots who must respect the obligations of their respective professional organizations.