No Easy Ride: Reflections on My Life in the RCMP (31 page)

Like many other police and paramilitary organizations, the RCMP still struggles with creating a respectful and safe workplace for women. Allegations of harassment have been made, and a significant number of former female members have joined a class action suit filed in March 2012. It is entirely possible that allegations made in the class-action suit will be substantiated. When I recall members who “stuck the needle in” and harassed me because of my height, it would not be a stretch to assume these same people would enjoy making women feel uncomfortable—and there is little doubt that others have used rank and seniority to sexually exploit women in subordinate positions. Men have been bullied in the Force since 1873, but it was clearly not “macho” to whine to someone about harassment, and it was certainly not advantageous to one’s career to be labelled a complainer. To their credit, women are identifying those who harass them in the workplace and are taking them to task. The vast majority of men in the Force will thank them for it.

It is vital to observe that every day thousands of RCMP members carry out their duties professionally, without fear, favour or affection. But if something does not change, the misconduct of a minority will no doubt occur more frequently. Morale is not improving, and members are feeling more and more under siege, both inwardly and outwardly. Current training facilities are not keeping pace with the needs of municipal and provincial contracts, let alone requirements at the federal level. A new commissioner, Bob Paulson, was appointed in 2011, but the mountain that has been left for him to climb may be too high.

Sadly, the Force seems headed for the cliff. One is also reminded of the story of the emperor’s new clothes. As he rode through the streets naked, not a single citizen of the kingdom dared to comment. The problem of mandate overload is massive and obvious, yet until the publication of former RCMP member Robert Lunney’s 2012 book,
Parting Shots
, few warnings had been voiced. As Lunney states, “Being all things to all people is not an organizational strategy.” The Force now has so many diversified and complex tasks at so many levels that success is becoming more and more elusive. Immediate action must be taken to extricate the Force from municipal and provincial policing, despite contract renewals with the provinces that now extend to 2032.

The provinces should be given a fixed period to establish their own police forces, and the RCMP must make a measured transition to an exclusively federal focus, serving also as a support agency to interprovincial crime. The urgency is such that some immediate, tangible action must take the form of the RCMP vacating all of the large municipal contracts in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. When a vessel is wallowing in heavy seas, a competent captain will jettison cargo to lighten the load in the hope of saving the ship. The commissioner must make a similar decision to rescue his ship. This action would free up considerable human resources that might be redistributed to those parts of the country that are crying out for relief. While not the ultimate solution, such action would ease the load and alleviate current untenable stress and pressure. The RCMP could then bring its considerable expertise to bear primarily on federal responsibilities, assisting provincial and municipal police forces on serious and interprovincial crime when called upon to do so. Rather than being distracted by a myriad of assorted demands, the Force should target national issues such as biker gangs, terrorism and corporate and economic crime along with other criminal maladies at the national level. Should this fail to occur, the mistakes and scandals will continue. It is entirely possible that this Canadian legend may be so discredited that, like the disgraced Canadian Airborne Regiment, it will be disbanded to be replaced by a brand-new entity as Canada’s federal police force.

Unwittingly, the Force may be about to encounter their own “perfect storm.” What prime minister would risk suffering the wrath of voters in every province but two if he endorses the removal of the RCMP from their provincial and municipal duties? Surely it would be politically wiser to allow the organization to continue to discredit itself until it is viewed as incapable of effectively offering a viable service. If this venerable Canadian icon is not thrown a lifeline of sorts, its eventual demise is inevitable.

It will cause nationwide trauma if the RCMP is not saved from destruction. It is a long-revered Canadian icon, etched indelibly into our country’s psyche. Canada’s leaders have a responsibility to ensure this national treasure is preserved. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is still admired worldwide. Canada will be a smaller country without it.

Turning the herd will not be an easy task. The logistics are difficult and complex, and resistance to change will be rampant. It will take great political courage, stamina and dynamic leadership. If current leaders both inside and outside the Force do not move on these initiatives, the disasters will continue. The RCMP will be crippled by a barrage of criticism and found broken and dying at the bottom of the cliff.

The author dressed in the parade uniform of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Band. Note the similarity to the RCMP uniform. The famous Sam Steele of the North West Mounted Police was the first commanding officer of this distinguished Canadian cavalry regiment.

The original Depot Division drum and bugle band. The author is on the extreme right of the top row. Terry David Mulligan, later a well-known TV and radio personality, is in the third row, third from the right, and Jim Treliving, founder and owner of Boston Pizza, is the drum major standing on the far left.

The graduation photgraph of “A” Troop, July 1961, prior to the new members’ transfers to the field. The author is in the front row, second from the left.

Superintendent W.F. MacRae, corps sergeant major at the RCMP Academy in Regina while the author was a recruit, photographed in 1975. Superintendent MacRae was held in awe by all recruits. He “owned” the drill square, and indeed all of Depot Division, striking terror in the hearts of all who dared to encroach on his sacred ground. He strutted like a peacock and roared like a lion, yet in unguarded moments displayed the intellect and vocabulary of a university scholar. The complexities of his character and his many and varied legacies to the RCMP Academy are lasting treasures to all who served with him. MacRae’s son Fraser also joined the force and became the officer in charge of the Surrey, BC, detachment, the largest in Canada. He retired with the rank of assistant commissioner. MacRae’s second son, Graham, also served with distinction in the RCMP.

The author with RCMP detachment personnel in 1967; he is standing on the extreme right.

The father of the author, Superintendent Joseph Parsons (retired), presents the author with his 20-year service medal at Regina in 1981.

A plaque presented by the Parsons family to Superintendent Joseph Parsons commemorating his 50 years of continuous service to the RCMP.

The Academic Training Section, RCMP Depot Division, Regina, circa 1982. The author is sitting in the centre of the front row.