Watchdog reviews RCMP response to partner violence

The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) has launched a systemic review of how the RCMP responds to intimate partner violence in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the federal watchdog announced Nov. 4.

Brent Cotter, the commission’s interim chairperson, initiated the review, which covers the RCMP’s “F” Division in Saskatchewan, “K” Division in Alberta and “B” Division in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to the CRCC’s news release.

The commission said it will examine the RCMP’s use of its statutory authorities to respond to and prevent intimate partner violence. It will also assess whether national and divisional RCMP policies, procedures and training are adequate, appropriate, sufficient and clear.

A third part of the review looks at whether the RCMP’s internal review and accountability frameworks for handling intimate partner violence are adequate, appropriate and sufficient. The fourth looks at the perspectives of survivors and stakeholders.

The CRCC said the review will include a two-part file review in the three provinces. The first part covers a sample of RCMP responses to intimate partner violence occurrences. The second covers RCMP interventions that came before intimate partner homicides.

The release did not give a timeline for the review or say when a report will be made public. The commission said the full terms of reference are available on its website.

The CRCC describes itself as an agency of the federal government that is distinct and independent from the RCMP. Its mandate includes reviewing specified activities, reporting findings and making recommendations. The RCMP is the provincial police service in Saskatchewan and Alberta and in Newfoundland and Labrador outside the areas served by other forces.

The review follows other recent accountability work involving police and partner violence. Canada News Media reported in October that the Supreme Court of Canada, in a 5-4 sentencing ruling in R. v. Cope, directed judges to apply principles for Indigenous offenders and for victims of crime together, and we covered the same decision as it was released. On Nov. 2, we reported on a CRCC finding of 35 RCMP failures to get detainees care.

The CRCC can make findings and recommendations. It does not direct the RCMP to act on them. Media inquiries can be sent to the commission at [email protected].

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