Question Period Note: Crisis Intervention and De-escalation

To provide information on RCMP policies and practices surrounding crisis intervention and de-escalation.

• 99.9% of all RCMP interactions with the public are resolved naturally or with communication and de-escalation.

• The RCMP will use only the level of intervention that is reasonable and necessary to ensure the safety of all citizens and to maintain peace, order, and security.

• As part of the RCMP’s efforts to be more accountable and transparent, the RCMP is now annually publishing police intervention option data on its website.

• Training for crisis intervention and de-escalation is mandatory for all RCMP officers. In April 2021, the RCMP launched an updated Incident Management Intervention Model online training course and graphic. This updated training includes more emphasis on crisis intervention and de-escalation.

• The RCMP Commissioner has launched a national dialogue with Canadian police chiefs to collaboratively re-examine the current de-escalation framework towards a refreshed model that will be developed in consultation with the policing community and other specific groups, including those representing racialized people.

• It is critically important for Canadians to feel protected by the police, and absolutely paramount that employees, communities, partners, and Canadians have trust and confidence in the RCMP.

RCMP members are subject to a Code of Conduct both on and off-duty, in Canada and abroad, and the RCMP is subject to several internal and external review processes that ensure its police officers are accountable for all police intervention occurrences. 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, based on the officer’s risk assessment. The RCMP responds to an average of 2.96 million calls for service each year. Applications of intervention account for one in every 1,268 RCMP calls for service, or 0.1 per cent, meaning 99.9 per cent of RCMP occurrences are resolved naturally or with communication/de-escalation. Overall, there was a 44% decline in the rate of police intervention options applied from 2010 to 2019, with 2019 (0.075%) marking the lowest rate of police intervention over the ten-year period. However, in 2020, there was a small increase in the rate of police intervention options being applied (0.079%).

Crisis Intervention and De-escalation (CID)
Police officers are often the first responders on scene when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. Police officers are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose individuals. However, it is important for the police to have an understanding of mental health illnesses, including signs and symptoms of distress, in order to conduct effective risk assessments and de-escalate a mental health crisis, wherever tactically feasible. Through CID techniques, many mental health crisis situations can be managed with decreased risk to the public and police officers. The RCMP has strengthened CID training. The RCMP recognizes that even in situations where CID techniques can be used, additional police intervention may still be necessary to protect the individual or others. Since 2016, an online training course has been mandatory for all RCMP officers, which helps police officers determine when and how to use CID techniques. To support communication and CID training, 80+ scenarios with a CID focus are being embedded within RCMP scenario-based training that refreshes officers on de-escalation every three years. Furthermore, the Commissioner has established a National Police Chiefs Roundtable forum with support from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) to examine CID. This Task Force aims to standardize and improve when police use intervention options and CID techniques. The RCMP is committed to advancing and improving CID training and may require increased federal/provincial/municipal investments for instruction, training and re-certification on police and public safety interactions.

The RCMP is also working to redesign the RCMP Public and Police Safety Instructor Course and Block Training to include CID techniques throughout course content. Modernization of police and public safety intervention equipment continues to be made to update the RCMP less-lethal intervention options, such as the Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) and 40mm (sponge-tipped round) extended range impact weapon (ERIW). Guided by a 2017 pilot, the ERIW operates as another less than lethal tool used within the police intervention continuum and is used to stop acts of violence perpetrated by individuals within crowds; it is not used for people who are peacefully protesting. The ERIW can be employed by frontline patrol officers as well as the Emergency Response Teams (ERT) and the Tactical Support Group (TSG). Other specialty munitions such as CS Gas can function as another intermediate device and may be used against resistant or combative crowds. Chemical agent munitions and irritants may only be deployed by personnel who complete a Basic Chemical Weapons User Course, and according to the appropriate course training standards. In addition, there are only two specialized units within the RCMP permitted to use CS Gas: ERTs and the TSG.

Incident Management Intervention Model (IMIM)
Progress made by the CACP Task Force is being followed closely and the RCMP is committed to modernizing and updating the IMIM and associated training. The IMIM is the framework used by RCMP officers to assess and manage risk in all encounters with the public, whether verbal de-escalation or the use of an intervention option. As of April 2021, the IMIM graphic was updated to emphasize communication and CID. IMIM training helps officers continually assess risk, based on the totality of a situation and considering subject behaviour, situational factors, tactical considerations and officer perceptions. The circular representation of the graphic is designed to reflect the rapidly evolving and dynamic nature of police work. Unlike a continuum or linear pathway, the IMIM does not lead an officer through a stepped progression of intervention options, but an officer instead selects an appropriate option to control the situation based on their individual risk assessment. The IMIM and related training materials assist officers in the decision-making process when interacting with the public, and determining necessary responses, based on a risk assessment of the situation while prioritizing de-escalation as the preferred result. The IMIM is introduced in the second week at the RCMP Academy and integrated into all relevant aspects of training for the remaining 24 weeks. Annual IMIM re-certification training is mandatory for all Regular Members and as of April 2021, CID training is incorporated into the annual IMIM recertification training and scenario-based training every three years.

Carotid Control Technique (CCT) / Vascular Neck Restraint
The CCT, also known as the vascular neck restraint, is not a chokehold, and when applied properly and per training, does not restrict breathing nor put any pressure on the windpipe. It applies pressure to both sides of a person’s neck and may cause a brief period of unconsciousness allowing a police officer to safely place an individual in handcuffs. As of 2021, all RCMP members must recertify annually on the policy regarding the application and use of the CCT. RCMP officers are to only use the CCT in a defensive manner, when protecting against a threat of grievous bodily harm or death, or a situation similar to where lethal force could be used, but deemed inappropriate at that time based on the totality of the situation. Use of force reporting shows the CCT is used an average of 36 times per year. In June 2020, the RCMP Commissioner stated the RCMP would examine the use of the CCT. As part of this ongoing review, the RCMP is participating in an international medical safety study with a group of police use of force researchers, including criminologists and physicians, to provide a valid estimate of injuries related to the CCT. This study will provide objective medical evidence of the risks and benefits of the CCT. Information on the study and results will be shared when complete, anticipated in late 2021/early 2022. Based on existing research, policy, training and robust oversight and accountability measures in place for the CCT, the RCMP will await completion of the study for an evidence-based decision on whether to continue teaching the CCT, and if so, under what circumstances it should be employed.

Subject Behaviour / Officer Response (SB/OR) Police Intervention Reporting
In 2010, the RCMP strengthened police intervention reporting requirements to include all intervention options to enhance accountability and transparency. The SB/OR reporting application is robust and was created as a tool to aid RCMP officers in articulating the circumstances in which an intervention was used. SB/OR reports capture occurrence information, environmental and situational factors, what substances and weapons were present, a description of subject behaviour and the corresponding officer response, any injuries to the subject / officer, and a short description of how the event unfolded. All SB/OR reports are reviewed at the supervisory level and further review and oversight is provided at the divisional levels where incidents occurred. SB/OR reports are periodically reviewed or audited for accuracy and adherence to policy at the national level. SB/OR reports are mandatory for all members who apply/display:
• Physical control hard, intermediate weapons, firearms, police service dog, specialty munitions and/or other (i.e., weapon of opportunity); and,
• Physical control soft resulting in an injury to the subject, member, or other person. “Physical control soft” are control techniques include escorting and/or come-along techniques, joint locks, and non-resistant handcuffing, which have a lower probability of causing injury.

Accountability and External Review Process
The RCMP Act provides for legislated internal and external review processes to deal with issues related to officer conduct. There are also the Commissioner’s Standing Orders, and operational and administrative policies in addition to the RCMP Act provisions that govern officer conduct. These processes ensure RCMP officers are accountable for all police intervention occurrences and officer-involved shooting incidents. The conduct process is found in Part IV of the RCMP Act, while the Code of Conduct is found in the RCMP Regulations. The Code of Conduct, which applies to every officer of the RCMP, establishes responsibilities and the standards for conduct, both on and off duty.

External Reviews of Major Police Incidents occur where there is a serious injury or death of an individual involving an RCMP member, or where it appears that an RCMP member may have contravened a provision of the Criminal Code or other statute and the matter is of a serious or sensitive nature. The RCMP has extensive operational policies designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and openness mandating that an independent civilian agency or external law enforcement body conduct the investigation whenever possible. Complaints Process: Part VII of the RCMP Act stipulates that any individual may make a public complaint concerning the conduct of any RCMP employee whom at the time, was in the performance of their duties. Further, the Chairperson for the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) may initiate a public complaint, if they are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to investigate the conduct.

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