May 11, 2023
Ottawa, ON — Following is a Letter to the Editor from Brian Sauvé, President and CEO of the National Police Federation, in response to a May 8, 2023 Globe and Mail Editorial Board editorial:
Re: RCMP Member Training Thorough and Exceptional
In response to your May 9 editorial criticizing RCMP training, we are compelled to explain that RCMP Members are among the best trained police officers in Canada, and internationally.
Initially, Depot teaches cadets vital skills, like law and ethics, de-escalation, and the fundamentals of the job, from using radios to fully simulated practice calls that hone their skills. Upon graduation, RCMP Members undergo six months of closely supervised field training, followed by 1.5 years of working closely with an experienced Member. All Members also undergo ongoing training, including re-certifying in de-escalation techniques every 3 years and as needed.
This continuous learning is considered world-class by many other police services in Canada and internationally. A recent independent report about the RCMP’s Cadet Training Program (CTP) affirms that, “Depot is a world‐renowned training institution for police officers…that place is at the top of its class, globally, for preparing police offers for frontline careers in public safety.”
Perhaps the real issue in Canada is our patchwork of training and policing standards – instead of looking outside for inspiration, let’s properly fund and support the consistent, real-world, and thorough RCMP training model.
Brian Sauvé
President, National Police Federation
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. It is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada and second largest in North America. We are focused on improving public safety in Canada for our Members and all Canadians by advocating for investment in policing and other related supports and services. This includes calling for required resourcing, equipment, and supports to enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
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Fabrice de Dongo
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Sarah Kavanagh
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(604) 842-6864
