Question Period Note: Police Intervention and De-Escalation

On March 23, 2021, a motion was presented to the House of Commons to recognize that there is systemic and overt racism in the RCMP following a report by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission that revealed that the RCMP destroyed records of police communications from the night Colton Boushie was murdered, and call on the government to: […] (e) immediately launch a full review of the use of force by the RCMP, including reviewing the tactics and the training that is given to RCMP Regular Members in dealing with Indigenous peoples and communities.

• Dignity is expected and respect is earned. As Canada’s national police force, the RCMP takes a clear stand against all forms of racism and discrimination.

• The Government of Canada is committed to addressing systemic racism, and to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. We have pledged to modernize training and the standards around police intervention, and will move forward on RCMP reforms, with a shift towards more community-led policing.

• Contributing to the safety and well-being of Indigenous communities is a strategic priority of the RCMP.

• The RCMP is committed to improving the relationship with all Indigenous communities, supporting survivors of violence and their families, and ensuring that investigations are robust, professional and result in justice for the survivors and their families.

• The RCMP will soon launch an updated Incident Management Intervention Model online training course. This updated training includes more emphasis on crisis intervention and de-escalation.

• The work of the National Police Chiefs Roundtable Task Force also continues, with a view to standardize and improve the use of police intervention options, and crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, which could include a higher frequency of training.

• In any interaction with the public, RCMP members are guided by the RCMP’s Bias-Free Policing policy, which is based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination, and is backed by legislation and the RCMP’s mission, vision and values.

• If an individual believes they were treated in a manner that is not in the spirit of this policy, or believes an RCMP employee did not conduct themselves appropriately, they are encouraged to follow the appropriate public complaints process.

On March 22, 2021, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP completed its “Public Interest Investigation into the RCMP’s Investigation of the Death of Colten Boushie and the Events that Followed”. The report found that the RCMP racially discriminated against Mr. Boushie's mother.

Commissioner Lucki accepted without debate almost all of the CRCC's findings, including the finding relating to the discriminatory treatment of Ms. Baptiste. The only exceptions related to more technical and less central findings.

Commissioner Lucki agreed to implement all of the CRCC's recommendations. In response to the recommendation for increased mandatory cultural awareness training, the RCMP Commissioner provided a long list of programs that the RCMP has implemented, and is still implementing.

Incidents involving police intervention are complex, dynamic and constantly evolving, oftentimes in a highly-charged atmosphere. Police officers must make split-second decisions when it comes to responding with intervention options, if necessary.

Regular Members of the RCMP are trained to assess situations and respond appropriately. RCMP cadets are provided initial training over a 26-week period at the RCMP’s Training Academy in Regina, at which time they receive extensive training on techniques and appropriate police involvement options, which include de-escalation techniques and intervention, as appropriate and necessary.

The training includes both classroom instruction and scenario-based training anchored in the RCMP’s Incident Management/Intervention Model (IMIM), which is a visual aid that assists officers in continually assessing risk, based on the totality of the situation and considering subject behaviour(s), situational factors, tactical considerations and the officer’s perceptions.

In any interaction with the public, RCMP personnel are guided by the RCMP’s Bias-Free Policing Policy, which is based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination, principals of Gender-Based Analysis (GBA+) training, as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the RCMP Act and the RCMP’s mission, vision and values. Bias-free policing means equitable treatment of all persons by all RCMP employees in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the law and without abusing their authority regardless of an individual’s race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, citizenship, family status, socio-economic status, or a conviction for which a pardon has been granted. The RCMP does not target any individual or group based solely on their racial, ethnic or religious background, and focuses on observed or suspected criminality and behaviours.

The RCMP is subject to several internal and external review processes that ensure its police officers are accountable for all use of force occurrences and Regular Member-involved shooting incidents. Internal processes may take the form of an investigation by professional standards, a review by a use of force subject matter expert, or an Independent Officer Review.

The RCMP constantly reviews and updates its policies, procedures and training to address identified gaps, and to ensure the RCMP remains a proactive, nimble and responsive police service for Canadians across the country.

The RCMP continues to look for opportunities to build trust in communities by increasing training and cultural awareness.

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