Monday, June 10, 2013

Kenny Solution Weak

Senator Colin Kenny wants the government to push another band-aid plan on the RCMP.  (Article here: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Does+government+truly+want+RCMP/8500959/story.html )

While I do not disagree with Senator Kenny’s interest in bringing improvements to the RCMP, it is aimed at treating a symptom and not the core problem. Notwithstanding the issues that have confronted some female members, the RCMP as an organization has evolved from a paramilitary culture to one that makes it difficult to distinguish it from the bureaucratic union driven public service.
Every organization has a few bad apples. If we think we are going to make things right with quotas or some form of sensitivity training, we are being naive. This is less about whether or not you have 20%, 30% or more female members, and more about the quality of the recruit being hired. The RCMP also needs more freedom to deal with problem members in an expeditious manner.

The current suggestion is another short-term plan to treat the symptoms. The RCMP, like any organization that demands a high level of personal integrity, must pay more attention to the screening of its applicants. You can’t start rebuilding your house unless your foundation is solid.

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