The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP releases its Annual Report 2010-2011

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) released its Annual Report 2010-2011 today. The user-friendly report is available in multiple formats on the Complaints Commission's website.

Report Highlights

• The CPC completed its review of several high-profile incidents, including:
  • the police-involved shooting death of John Simon in Wagmatcook, Nova Scotia;
  • the in-custody death of Raymond Silverfox in Whitehorse, Yukon; and
  • the arrest and subsequent death of Clay Alvin Willey in Prince George, British Columbia.
• Both the overall number of complaints and the number of complaints sent directly to the CPC have continued to increase annually. The CPC now receives just over 70% of all complaints directly from the public.
• A backlog of Commissioner's Notices (RCMP responses to CPC Interim Reports) has returned and continued to grow this year, causing delays in the complaints system.
• To address recommendations made by the CPC in several reports, in March 2011 the RCMP issued a broadcast highlighting the importance of notes in documenting relevant details, refreshing members' memories and articulating actions in advance of a formalized policy regarding members' notebooks.
• The CPC delivered its contribution to the Review of Yukon's Police Force final report, Sharing Common Ground, in August 2010. Many of the CPC's initial observations, including general lack of awareness of the complaint process, were echoed in the final report.
• The CPC produced a video in conjunction with the National Association of Friendship Centres aimed at helping improve accessibility and awareness of the police complaints process amongst Aboriginal audiences. The video is available on the CPC's website.

In June 2010, the government introduced legislation (Bill C-38) to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and establish a new civilian review body to replace the CPC. Bill C-38 did not advance beyond first reading before the 2011 federal election call. The CPC looks forward to the government reaffirming its commitment to pursue an enhanced accountability regime for the RCMP.

For more information, please contact:

Laura Colella
613-219-4595
Laura.Colella@cpc-cpp.gc.ca