Review of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s report regarding a public complaint

NSIRA file: 07-407-3

Background 

The complainant filed a complaint with the CRCC related to the conduct of members of the RCMP. The complainant alleged that the RCMP carried out an unjustified and arbitrary arrest of their minor son, conducted a zealous and abusive search of the family home, and publicized the arrest. 

In addition, the complainant alleged that the RCMP disclosed information to U.S. authorities, stated that the complainant’s son’s arrest form would be forgotten and destroyed, and violated the son’s safety and that of his family, their constitutional rights and their whistleblower rights. 

The RCMP concluded, in a report sent to the complainant pursuant to section 45.64 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act (RCMP Act), that the members had acted appropriately and consequently did not support any of the complainant’s allegations. 

The complainant referred their complaint to the CRCC for review as they were not satisfied with the RCMP’s findings. The CRCC referred the complaint to NSIRA pursuant to subsection 45.53(4.1) of the RCMP Act. 

Investigation 

NSIRA determined that it had jurisdiction to review the request for review of the RCMP’s report under section 19 of the NSIRA Act. 

NSIRA’s investigation included a review of: 

  • the complaint; 
  • the complainant’s request for review filed with the CRCC; 
  • the RCMP investigation file related to the complaint, including documents provided by the complainant during the investigation; and 
  • the RCMP’s operational file related to the complaint, including numerous audio and video recordings, as well as relevant policies and legislation. 

Conclusion 

NSIRA found that the RCMP’s conclusions in its report were reasonable. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, NSIRA pointed out to the RCMP the importance of the decisionmaker and signatory of an RCMP report having no prior involvement with the file that is the subject of the complaint, in addition to the importance of complete and contemporaneous notetaking. 

Date Modified: