RCMP: Intense Criticism

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews Dept: The proposed reforms, announced by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, are designed to address intense criticism that the force has been slow and ineffective in responding to allegations of harassment and other grievances involving members of the force, according to Vancouver Sun. They re changes that are long overdue, said B.C. Civil Liberties Association executive director David Eby in an interview Wednesday. Certainly we have shared the frustration of senior management within the RCMP that they have not been able to remove problem officers in the way that we would expect and the way that the public expects so it s good to see these changes coming and critics are cautiously applauding changes to the RCMP disciplinary system that will streamline the complaints process and give the commissioner new powers to dismiss members for non-disciplinary reasons. The legislation also aims to improve transparency in the handling of RCMP members who are suspected of committing serious crimes. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.