Indigenous Reconciliation

Date: April 30, 2021

Classification: Unclassified

Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes

Branch/Agency: RCMP 

Issue:

The RCMP is undertaking reconciliation and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, peoples and employees.

Proposed Response:

Background:

In 1973, the RCMP established the Indigenous Special Constable Program to recruit more Indigenous members, and in 1989 the Indigenous Special Constables were converted to Regular Member status. In 1990, the RCMP formed the Commissioner's National Aboriginal Advisory Committee, and there after also established a dedicated Aboriginal Policing Directorate, the group known today as RCMP-Indigenous Relations Services.

The RCMP provides professional and dedicated service to First Nations and Inuit communities under the terms of the First Nations Policing Program (FNPP). Established in 1991, the FNPP, administered by Public Safety Canada, is cost-shared between the federal and provincial/territorial governments. Where the RCMP is contracted to provide policing services to a First Nation or Inuit community, it is negotiated within a Community Tripartite Agreement between Canada, the province/territory (P/T) and the governing body of a First Nation or Inuit community.

In 2003, the RCMP identified Indigenous communities as an organizational strategic priority, which remains so to this day.

Indigenous Policing and Reconciliation:

The RCMP is working towards strengthening relationships, increasing knowledge, awareness and understanding of our shared history. By establishing protocols, and through Indigenous focused and Indigenous-led cultural awareness training and events, the organization is making strides towards reconciliation and its goal of a safe Canada, for everyone. Delivering culturally competent police services provides the foundation necessary to build relationships and partnerships with the Indigenous communities and peoples the organization serves.

The RCMP’s unique history with Indigenous peoples provides an environment in which work can be done collaboratively to improve community safety and wellness. The RCMP is committed to continue building upon these relationships as the organization encourages, sustains and fosters honest and open dialogue among Indigenous partners. As this work is done together, the RCMP is in a position to assist and advocate for Indigenous communities at the local, divisional and national levels.

Significant aspects of the RCMP’s work, such as those in support of reconciliation, are a long-term commitment that takes place in the daily activities of the RCMP’s personnel working with and in Indigenous communities, both urban and rural. In the short term, the RCMP has been taking steps to: strengthen cultural awareness and trauma-informed training, and communication with families; improve investigative practices; expand consultations and engagement with Indigenous groups; and, to increase Indigenous representation within the workforce.

RCMP divisions have actively worked with stakeholders (e.g. communities, employees, subject matter experts, youth, P/T governments) to co-develop divisional, distinctions-based reconciliation strategies. Currently, nine out of 13 divisions have published their plans on divisional websites.

RCMP Reconciliation Working Group (RRWG):

The Deputy Commissioner of “K” Division (Alberta) is the Vision 150 Reconciliation Champion, who works with the RRWG, comprised of working-level employee representatives, including Indigenous employees, from across the organization in all divisions and business lines. The RRWG provides national and divisional strategic direction and leadership to ensure a cohesive organizational approach to achieving reconciliation.

Uniform Inclusion:

In recognition of the unique relationship between the RCMP and First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities, items of ceremonial honour and distinction, which have been bestowed upon RMs by these communities, may be worn in ceremonial uniforms, subject to certain conditions. 

Restorative Justice:

The RCMP is working with partners to increase referrals to restorative justice programs and agencies. RCMP officers refer appropriate cases to community and Indigenous (traditional) justice programs pre-charge, where appropriate and available. For restorative justice alternatives to be considered, there need to be programs available at the local level and a willingness from both the police and community members to participate in this approach. RCMP detachments are responsible for maintaining relationships with local programs, and working to ensure appropriate restorative justice referrals are made.

Regular Member (RM) Training:

Incidents involving police intervention are complex, dynamic and constantly evolving, often times in a highly charged atmosphere. Police officers must make split-second decisions when it comes to responding with intervention options. RCMP RMs 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 intervention options, which includes de-escalation techniques. The curriculum is interwoven with aspects of Indigenous culture and diversity. One key aspect of this is the Kairos Blanket Exercise, which takes cadets (and other personnel) on a journey of reconciliation through the eyes of Indigenous people. Training also includes both classroom instruction and scenario-based exercises 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. 

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.

Accountability and Oversight:

The RCMP is subject to several internal and external review processes that ensure its police officers are accountable for all police intervention occurrences and RM-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.

Bias-Free Policing Policy:

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. In any interaction with the public, RCMP RMs are guided by the RCMP’s Bias-Free Policing policy, which is based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination, 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. The policy was last updated in October 2020.

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