"The Force has changed dramatically, unfortunately, it has not been for the better."

Ottawa – Today, Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, circulated a 45-page report prepared by Robert H.D. Head, retired Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP, entitled, "THE POLITICIZATION OF THE RCMP". As a 38-year veteran of the Force, Head has noted a general deterioration in delivery of police services to the Canadian people and in the public’s acceptance of and pride in the RCMP. "I was prompted to write this paper after being approached by the American Society of Criminologists (meeting this week in Toronto) and because of the many complaints voiced to me by everyday Canadians, RCMP veterans and serving members," observed Head. "The Force has changed dramatically over the past 25 years, unfortunately, it has not been for the better. Today, it is much too political for the good of Canada. These are my own observations and opinions but I hope my paper will stimulate a debate in Parliament, in the media, in the RCMP and amongst the general public."

In addition to his years of public service in the RCMP, Head is a life member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. His report provides an insiders insight into a number of important issues including: the RCMP Commissioner’s reporting relationship to the government, budget problems, overtime compensation, foreign service assignments, staff relations, sick leave and stress leave, searches of MP’s offices, bilingualism, political influence, gun control laws, and the impact of Supreme Court decisions.

Head concludes his paper with twenty recommendations on how to fix many of the problems he has identified. Three of his more controversial recommendations include: (1) having the Commissioner report directly to Parliament much like the Auditor General of Canada, (2) having candidates for the position of Commissioner of the RCMP examined by an all-party Parliamentary Committee, and (3) creation of a separate dedicated agency to handle duties currently performed under the Protective Operations of the RCMP.

"This is an outstanding report that requires debate in the House of Commons followed by a serious review by the Standing Committee on Justice," said Breitkreuz. "Over the next few weeks I will be working with my colleagues in the House to ensure that a motion to this effect is introduced and debated."

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