RCMP Not the Root of Policing Problems

(Aired on August 16, 2010)

I think we need to have a long look before we make any hasty decisions about doing away with the RCMP in our province. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has been touring the province getting input on what to do about the police situation in B.C. The RCMP contract is coming up for renewal and there are many who seem to feel that a 20-year renewal of the contract is not in our best interests. But I say let's have a good look before we move into something that may seem better, but has a lot of potential for failure.

Some who are against renewal say there is no hope of getting confidence back in the RCMP, that the force's brass needs a major overhaul, and that it's time for a provincial force. They would point to a number of complaints against the police handling of cases, excessive force by members and so on. But those complaints would probably not diminish with a provincial force. There are lots of complaints against officers in the Vancouver police force, just as many issues surrounding the handling of crimes and criminals. Is the real problem not the force, but the overall way we handle policing in general in this country?

For every person upset with excessive force, there is at least one more who is upset that the police aren't tough enough on criminals. For every complaint against an RCMP officer, there is a story about what a great job they do.

My impression is that it's a case of the selection committee choosing appropriate officers as opposed to the force itself. And that's the problem with any police force. I don't agree with Stewart Philip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs very often, but I think he hit the nail on the head when he talked about the fact that some of these older veterans, who have an interest in establishing relationships, are retiring and some of the newer members don't have the same inclination. Relationships are big, and that's what needs to be fostered. If we don't do that, it doesn't matter what kind of police force we have. It won't work.