Blue Line

News
RCMP survey reveals harassment; deep dissatisfaction with superiors

VANCOUVER - Half of the RCMP officers surveyed for an internal opinion poll said they didn't think senior leaders within the force were competent to carry out their responsibilities.

May 14, 2010  By Corrie Sloot


VANCOUVER – Half of the RCMP officers surveyed for an internal opinion poll said they didn’t think senior leaders within the force were competent to carry out their responsibilities.

Forty-six per cent of the approximately 12,000 officers surveyed for the 2009 RCMP Employee Opinion Survey said they did not feel the RCMP had competent senior leaders within the force, compared to 26 who thought they did.

While the overwhelming majority of officers surveyed said they were proud of the work they do, 51 per cent disagreed when asked if the RCMP prepares supervisors and managers well, compared to 25 per cent who agreed.

Officers in Ontario and Alberta had the least faith in their superiors, with 56 per cent of Ontario officers weighing in against senior leaders and 58 per cent of Alberta officers responding in the negative when asked whether the force properly prepares supervisors.

Advertisement

The approximately 1,500 officers surveyed in Alberta, where the force suffered one of the most devastating losses in its history when four Mounties were gunned down near the small community of Mayerthorpe five years ago, appeared to be the least satisfied.

Fewer officers from Alberta than any other province felt the force promoted the health, safety and well-being of officers and the province reported the lowest number who felt employees were treated fairly.

Thirty-two per cent of Alberta respondents felt the force did not take satisfactory measures to ensure their safety. Fifty-two per cent felt it did.

A spokesperson for RCMP national headquarters was not available to comment Wednesday.

Nineteen per cent of respondents nationwide said they’d been harassed on the job by a superior, supervisor or co-worker in the previous 12 months.

Another 48 per cent of respondents said they’d thought about quitting, some on a daily basis, but most at least monthly, while 44 per cent said they had never considered leaving the force.

Yet from coast to coast to coast, officers reported pride and satisfaction in their work.

Eighty per cent reported the national police force was a good place to work and 87 per cent said they were proud to be RCMP members.

In British Columbia, where the death of Robert Dziekanski rocked the force, fewer officers than the national average felt they were respected and trusted and fewer felt the force was a good place to work.

Yet 73 per cent reported that they found their work personally fulfilling – the same as the national average – and fewer reported that their work was not fulfilling.

h1. EXECUTIVE DIGEST

h2. May 06 2010

TORONTO – Crime reporter Gwyn(Jocko) Thomas, who died on Wednesday at age
96, was an avatar of the old school. A classic form of a historic breed, he was a reporter’s reporter, by turns crusty, tireless, generous, competitive, driven, cynical, resourceful, clever, and entirely self-made. He worked and played the only way he knew – hard and by his wits, which were considerable.
Page 2

h2. May 06 2010

OTTAWA – Three top police groups came together Thursday to defend the long-gun registry, even as the Conservative government called on three retired officers to speak against it.
Page 2

h2. May 06 2010

WINNIPEG – A new policy change means Winnipeg police officers can carry their guns while traveling to and from work when they’re not in uniform. The change also requires officers to wear their badges, carry handcuffs and have a use-of-force option like their baton or pepper spray with them.
Page 3

h2. May 07 2010

SURREY – Construction of the new B.C. headquarters for the RCMP officially began Friday morning in Surrey with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Green Timbers site in the 14200 block of 96 Avenue.
Page 6

h2. May 10 2010

HALIFAX – The federal government is prepared to spend up to $50 million to help build a new emergency radio communications system in the Maritimes, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday.
Page 8


Print this page

Advertisement

Stories continue below