
RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson announced in March he’ll retire at the end of June. The Toronto Star is reporting that "The looming departure of Commissioner Bob Paulson has prompted some rank-and-file Mounties to call for a joint management approach to running the RCMP instead of the top-down hierarchical system some believe has left it unable to adapt to modern workplace expectations and norms." This is in relation to numerous sexual harassment civl lawsuits the RCMP settled out of court which displayed a pattern of unprofessionalism that permeated the RCMP right up to top management including Craig Callen and Bill Fordy here in BC.
Assistant Commissioner Brenda Butterworth-Carr's promotion to the position of BC's E Division commanding officer has been a colossal step forward. Word on the street is that the infamous swingers known as the Friends of Craig Callen are now running for cover. The question is, will the powers that be let her do her job or will they use her as a poster girl to cover up their mess and tie her hands like they have Duane McDonald and prevent her from actually doing anything while in charge. Time will tell. It always does. Yet the opportunity for a real step forward presents itself.
Bob Paulson talked the talk but he didn't walk the walk. He said he was going to eradicate sexual harassment from the RCMP but he failed to deliver that promise within his own office. The climate of unprofessionalism tolerating and promoting sexual harassment is an easy fix. Finding the political will to embrace the New York model and depart from the current harm promotion model is not. One thing is certain and that is with all the record fentanyl fatalities in Metro Vancouver, the harm promotion of the DTES is not something we should emulate anywhere else.
RCMP watchdog calls for civilian governance
CBC is reporting that "The RCMP will not be able to bring about the necessary change required to address its dysfunctional culture on its own," wrote Ian McPhail, chair of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP. "A change in governance is required, and such change must come from the outside."
The Georgia Straight is reporting that "A police psychologist who describes the RCMP as a pathological organization has won a battle against the Mounties. The College of Psychologists of B.C. has dismissed a complaint filed by the RCMP against Mike Webster regarding his professional conduct, including his critical comments about the force."