February 9, 2026
Ottawa, ON – The following is a statement from National Police Federation President and C.E.O., Brian Sauvé, regarding recent CBC reporting on gender-based violence data within the RCMP.
“The National Police Federation has zero tolerance for sexual violence, sexual misconduct, or harassment of any kind. Allegations of gender-based violence must always be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. When misconduct is established, consequences are meaningful and often career-altering. Accountability matters.
Accuracy matters too. It is essential to distinguish between allegations and established findings. Between January 2014 and May 2025, approximately two percent of RCMP Members were involved in a disciplinary process of any kind. Of roughly 9,000 allegations reviewed during that period, about ten per cent related to gender-based violence. Those allegations involved 616 Members, and following full investigations, 183 cases, or roughly 30% of allegations, were established.
When viewed against the full RCMP workforce of approximately 23,000 Members, those 183 established cases represent well under one percent of all Members. Blurring the line between allegations and findings, or applying percentages of allegations to Members, creates a distorted picture and does a disservice to the seriousness of the issue.
When gender-based violence is established under the RCMP Code of Conduct, sanctions are serious and include suspensions, demotions, restrictions on duties, mandatory treatment or training, or dismissal. It is misleading to suggest that disciplined Members simply “return to work” without consequence; sanctions are often significant, corrective, and career-altering. The data released by the RCMP and shared by CBC also reinforce that if allegations related to gender-based violence are proven, the consequences are often more significant than for other types of discipline-related issues, speaking to the understanding of the severity of these allegations.
Much of the data referenced also predates major reforms, including union certification, collective bargaining, strengthened workplace protections, and the creation of the Independent Centre for Harassment Resolution. For years, Members were navigating complex and reputationally devastating processes without professional representation.
This context and information was shared directly with CBC, however none appeared in the final story. The omission of any other perspective, analysis, or context is disheartening. This contributes, once again, to a familiarand troubling pattern of media stories that lack balance and fulsome representation of our Members.
Discussions about gender-based violence deserve care, precision, and honesty. Public trust depends on accountability, but it also depends on accurate reporting and proper context.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. We are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public safety for all Canadians, including our Members by advocating for much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
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