GARRY W.G. CLEMENT
© 2019 FrontLine Security (Vol 14, No 1)
Is it time to modernize the RCMP mandate?
There is no denying that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has a proud history, having served Canada well since its establishment in May 1873 as a central police force. When it comes to national law enforcement, the RCMP has endeavoured to be all things to all people. Today, its scope of operations is expanding an all five key areas: Serious and Organized Crime; Financial Crime; National Security; Protective Policing; and Criminal Intelligence. In addition, they also protect VIPs; have jurisdiction (uniform contracts) in eight provinces and three territories; and, through its National Police Services, offer resources to other Canadian law enforcement agencies.
Organized crime, terrorism, illicit drugs, economic crimes, and offences that threaten the integrity of Canada’s national borders are all on the rise, stretching enforcement and investigation budgets to the breaking point. For example, following 9/11, the focus of the RCMP was directed at potential terrorist threats resulting in many officers being tasked with this required mandate. However, the Government failed to provide the necessary budget requirements, which has resulted in a total erosion of the RCMP’s ability to tackle trans-national organized crime, money laundering, cyber-crime and sophisticated financial crime.
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