RCMP: Reining In Tail

The RCMP is now one step closer to having an internal discipline and grievance process that will provide management with the capability needed to address related issues in a timely manner. Bill C-42 cleared the House of Commons on March 6th and is expected to clear the Conservative majority in the Senate before becoming law.

Over the past several decades, the RCMP’s internal discipline system has struggled to find a balance between management’s right to manage and a member’s right to be treated fairly. Prior to the introduction of the Division Staff Relations Representative (DSRR) program in 1974, RCMP members were subject to the legendary “dismissed forthwith” decision without appeal. In an effort to bring a protection of individual rights for members, the RCMP introduced the DSRR program. While the intent was to establish a mechanism that would treat members fairly and not subject them to arbitrary decisions, the bureaucracy that was created to handle these matters became an administrative nightmare, in some cases allowing members the opportunity to exploit their compensation benefits for years until their inevitable discharge.

In effect, the discipline pendulum that was once completely management oriented had swung to the other extreme position, interfering with management’s right to manage in favour of a preoccupation with processes that added excessive encumbrances to the resolution of the matter. The updated legislation will hopefully bring a balance to the discipline pendulum, a balance that reflects the need to protect members from undue treatment as well as providing managers with the ability to handle related matters in a more acceptable timeframe.

Although the change will not be without its challenges, this is one situation whereby the tail has been wagging the dog for far too long.