The RCMP's costly contract policing obligations across Canada are draining resources from the force's federal duties in areas such as organized crime and national security, an internal government memo warns.
The demand for contract officers in the provinces and territories where they provide regular local policing services outstrips the RCMP's capacity to recruit and train them, causing shortages that have led to officer health and wellness concerns, says the Public Safety Canada document.
The coming unionization of rank-and-file Mounties will only intensify these pressures, the memo says. This makes the RCMP the police of jurisdiction for over one-fifth of Canada's population in a geographic area accounting for three-quarters of the country. "Federal policing responsibilities have been and are being eroded to meet contract demands," the memo says.
The challenges come as the national police force tries to modernize, including unionization of frontline officers, following a series of revelations about internal bullying and harassment.
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.
Sex offender considered a 'high risk to re-offend' now living in Surrey: RCMPA sex offender described as 'dangerous' and 'high risk' by the RCMP has been released from prison, Mounties say.
Read more »
Alberta RCMP charge four with first-degree murder in 2019 death of Athabasca womanNature Duperron’s remains were found in Yellowhead County west of Edmonton in May 2019
Read more »
Five new Sask. COVID-19 cases, 12 more recoveriesSaskatchewan is reporting five new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 627.
Read more »
Ontario reports 412 new coronavirus cases, 27 deaths as total cases surpass 25KSaturday’s report marks a 1.7 per cent increase in cumulative cases in Ontario, where that figure has hovered between 1.5 and 1.9 over the past two weeks.
Read more »
Sex offender considered a 'high risk to re-offend' now living in Surrey: RCMPA sex offender described as 'dangerous' and 'high risk' by the RCMP has been released from prison, Mounties say.
Read more »
Alberta RCMP charge four with first-degree murder in 2019 death of Athabasca womanNature Duperron’s remains were found in Yellowhead County west of Edmonton in May 2019
Read more »