OTTAWA — Dean Gladue says he never experienced racism until joining the RCMP.
Nadine Huggins, the Mounties’ chief human resources officer, chalked some of that up to how it used to graduate Indigenous-only classes like the one that Gladue first belonged to, and whose members have now hit retirement.
Growing up in Saskatchewan, Heather Bear said she learned there were two justice systems: One for Indigenous people, and one for those who were white. They were dispatched from a detachment more than a 30 minutes away — a distance that underscores the realities of the contract policing model that spans the country’s rural and Indigenous communities, made worse by widespread vacancies.
Like Gladue, Cardinal first graduated as a special constable. After seven years on the job, he returned to Depot for training to gain his constable status.“What are they going to teach me that I’ve already taught myself?” he said.Article contentCardinal said he had aspired to move around the organization and work in larger centres, but found himself unable to.
In his home community of Bigstone Cree Nation, located about 320 kilometres north of Edmonton, he said they saw five RCMP members retire in the past decade — and get “no recognition.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'ON THE INSIDE': Why some Indigenous officers stick with the RCMP despite strugglesDean Gladue says he never experienced racism until joining the RCMP.
Read more »
'On the inside': Why some Indigenous officers stick with the RCMP despite strugglesThe RCMP, which marks its 150th anniversary on Tuesday, is struggling with the recruitment, but also the retention, of Indigenous members.
Read more »
'On the inside': Why some Indigenous officers stick with the RCMP despite strugglesOTTAWA — Dean Gladue says he never experienced racism until joining the RCMP. The 26-year veteran began his career with the force in 1989 as special constable, a role assigned to police First Nations reserves.
Read more »
Semi slams into RCMP unit during southern Alta. highway traffic stop, officer relatively unscathed | Globalnews.caAn RCMP officer suffered only minor, shrapnel-related injuries after his cruiser was struck at highway speeds during a Friday afternoon traffic stop on Highway 2.
Read more »
Recent incidents show dangerous conditions on Cowichan River: Lake Cowichan RCMPRescues involving tubers come amid warnings to avoid the river this weekend
Read more »
Officer not seriously harmed after semi slams into RCMP cruiserThe officer received minor injuries from flying debris.
Read more »