The Mounties appear on the verge of a major shakeup—and no, it doesn’t involve ditching the iconic Red Serge jackets and campaign hats.
Driving the news: The city of Surrey was ordered by BC’s Solicitor-General to move forward with a plan to end RCMP policing and establish a municipal police force instead.
- The process began in 2018 in response to pleas for a police force better suited to the challenges facing the diverse, rapidly growing city. However, after electing a new government, the city tried to backtrack on the transition citing financial concerns.
- The Solicitor-General felt that it was “not safe” for Surrey to return to RCMP policing as it did not meet certain requirements, and the move could result in police shortages.
Why it matters: Surrey is the largest city where the Mounties still have a policing contract. Losing it could give more credence to the federal government’s recent call to radically change the RCMP’s function.
Earlier this week, The Toronto Star cited federal sources claiming the government wants to transform the RCMP from a body that carries out frontline police work to an “FBI of the North,” focused solely on things like national security, cybercrime, and organized crime.
Bottom line: It’s a tumultuous time for the RCMP as it faces turnover in its leadership, a growing number of provinces and cities reconsidering its role in policing, and a laundry list of issues stemming from the Mass Casualty Commission.—QH