A former local RCMP sergeant is eager to push for what he says is a much-needed change within the agency as he settles into his new role as Director of the Manitoba branch for the National Police Federation. Bobby Baker is no longer heading up the Pembina Valley RCMP detachment after being elected the first-ever…

The head of the new union for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police says he hopes to be at the bargaining table in just a few weeks, kicking off a process that could see policing costs rise in much of the country. Read the full article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-union-bargaining-march-1.5416128

Kitimat RCMP’s acting detachment commander said Kitimat is unlikely to be affected by the projected provincial budget shortfall of $10.7-million budget shortfall in the force’s provincial budget. Read the full article here: https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/kitimat-wont-be-affected-by-provincial-rcmp-budget-cuts/

The RCMP has chosen union leaders from its ranks for the first time, a move that sets the stage for labour negotiations that could increase policing costs in communities across Canada. Read the full article here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-the-rcmps-first-union-elects-its-leaders-and-sets-pay-human/

Surrey RCMP’s operating budgets “will not be touched” despite a projected $10-million cut for RCMP’s policing costs in B.C. The RCMP must cut more than $10 million from its policing costs in B.C., as first reported by the Vancouver Sun after obtaining a copy of an email from the province’s top Mountie, Deputy Commissioner Jennifer…

Mounties make less than officers in most municipal forces right across the country, with a starting annual salary of $53,144 for an RCMP officer. Read the full article here: https://edmontonjournal.com/news/mounties-first-ever-union-just-elected-a-president-and-now-theyre-looking-for-a-raise/wcm/87a4e453-f50d-4e04-b940-17b0c441968e

Supreme Court in 2015 struck down law that forbade Mounties from unionizing. Read the entire story here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/national-police-federation-union-rcmp-mounties-1.5210796  

Nearly four years after the RCMP won the right to organize, rank-and-file Mounties are still in limbo, waiting for a secret vote to pick their first police union. Brian Sauvé, co-chair of the National Police Federation (NPF) — which is seeking certification to become the force’s union — said he’s gearing up for the historic…

Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, honoured and recognized 12 of our own on July 6 at the Citadelle of Québec, in Québec City. We too would like to recognize these outstanding individuals, three of them posthumously, for their exceptional service and bravery and sacrifice. We would also like to…

When the NPF filed for certification with the FPSLREB in April 2017, a “freeze” was invoked on altering terms and conditions of employment. This freeze is not absolute but there is a regulated process around how our employer can make changes. One of those requirements is to seek consent or ask permission of the NPF…

The proposed class-action is intended for all past and present employees, including civilians, volunteers and students, with grievances that weren’t addressed in earlier litigation. http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/whopping-1-1b-for-damages-sought-in-lawsuit-over-culture-of-workplace-bullying-in-the-rcmp

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada has appointed the first woman as permanent leader of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which has been dogged in recent years by accusations of discrimination, sexual assault and other scandals. Mr. Trudeau said on Friday that Brenda Lucki, who has been with the national police force for 31 years, would…

Globe & Mail story “The Thin Red Line: Is Contract Policing Unsustainable?” You may have read or heard a front-page feature story in the Globe & Mail over the weekend comparing municipal police forces to contract RCMP policing, focusing primarily on BC’s Lower Mainland. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/investigations/rcmp-contract-policing-investigation/article38085153/ While the article doesn’t come to any specific conclusions on sustainability,…

Interviews are underway this week for the next commissioner of the RCMP — and the government’s newly announced selection committee provides clues about what the government is looking for in the new leader of the national police force. Late last week, headhunting firm Boyden notified some applicants they were no longer under consideration for the opportunity to replace former…

It isn’t uncommon for an RCMP officer to transport a prisoner on their own in rural Manitoba, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe, say two organizations that represent Mounties. The Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada and the National Police Federation are raising concerns over prisoner-transport protocol one day after a prisoner assaulted a Mountie and escaped; hours…

A ruling is expected Friday in the trial of the RCMP related to the shootings of 2014, when three Moncton Mounties lost their lives at the hands of gunman Justin Bourque and two others were wounded. As the trial drew to a close in July, after weeks of testimony, Judge Leslie Jackson said he would carefully…

The RCMP divisions in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have the highest vacancy rates among the provinces and territories. According to the RCMP, of 203 funded positions in the N.W.T., 18 are vacant, for a vacancy rate of 8.9 per cent as of April 1. Nunavut isn’t far behind. Of 148 funded positions, 12 are vacant,…

Twelve per cent of positions unfilled nationwide http://www.ohscanada.com/staff-shortage-risk-rcmp-officer-safety-says-police-federation/  

(Canadian OH&S News) — A shortage of RCMP personnel across the country could create both long-term and short-term safety risks for members, according to the national federation for RCMP officers. An Aug. 14 story on the CTV News website cited the RCMP’s own statistics on its vacancy rates for this year and 2018. More than…

A significant shortage of RCMP officers is raising concerns about their safety and the safety of the communities in which they work, according to several Mounties speaking out from across Canada. http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/rcmp-shortages-leave-mounties-in-crisis-officers-say-1.3542190