ARCHIVED - Appendices - Review of the RCMP's Public Complaint Records
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Table of Contents
Appendix A: Common Terminology
Adverse Finding
A finding typically found in an Interim Report, which states that the subject member(s)' conduct was improper in that it did not meet RCMP professional standards and/or was in conflict with RCMP policy.
Allegation
Assertion of misconduct in the performance of any duty or function, by a member of the public, against any member or person employed or appointed under the RCMP Act.
Commission's Issues List
Consists of 46 categories, which describe the nature of the public complaint. The process of assigning issues raised in complaints is completed when the Commission receives completed complaint records through the Review of the Record Project.
Commissioner's Notice
A letter issued by the RCMP Commissioner that acknowledges receipt of the Commission's Interim Report, and includes a response to the Chair or the Vice-Chair's findings and recommendations made in that report.
Complaint Disposition
RCMP-initiated settlement of a public complaint against a member.
Completed Complaint Record
All RCMP paperwork relating to a public complaint and a disposition of a complaint, if necessary.
Final Report
A report that is issued by the Commission, and signed by either the Chair or the Vice-Chair, when the Commission is satisfied with the disposition of the complaint by the RCMP and can find no fault with the action of the member(s).
Final Report (RCMP)
One of the four types of complaint dispositions issued by the RCMP to the complainant(s) provided for under subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act stating the RCMP's findings relating to its investigation into the public complaint.
Final Report After
Commissioner's Notice
Commissioner's Notice
Written report that is issued by the Chair or the Vice-Chair in response to a Commissioner's Notice reasserting the Commission's position and detailing any concerns the Commission has with the RCMP Commissioner's response to the Interim Report.
Findings and Recommendations
Statement of conclusions made in reaction to the Commission's review of the public complaint disposition, and recommended courses of action by the RCMP. Satisfied findings can be found in both Final and Interim Reports.
Interim Report
A report that is issued by the Commission, and signed by either the Chair or the Vice-Chair, when the Commission is not satisfied with the disposition of the complaint by the RCMP and/or finds fault with the action of the member(s). Typically, recommendations are made in Interim Reports in conjunction with the adverse findings.
Notice of Direction
One of four types of complaint dispositions issued by the RCMP, under subsection45.36(5) of the RCMP Act, to the complainant(s) stating the RCMP's decision not to investigate the complaint or to terminate the investigation into the complaint.
Outstanding Disposition List
Accounting mechanism for all Commission-lodged public complaints currently under investigation by the RCMP. It allows the Commission to track how quickly the RCMP is responding to complaints, and in particular, identify complaints that are taking too long to investigate.
Public Complaint Process
Series of procedures undertaken by the RCMP and the Commission to address a public complaint against a member of the RCMP. This can include, but is not limited to, complaint intake, investigation by the RCMP, issuing of complaint dispositions and complaint reviews.
RCMP Allegations Category
Part of the RCMP classification system of complaints found on Form 4110, where each allegation made by a member of the public is assigned a specific mutually exclusive classification reflecting the nature of the allegation.
RCMP Region
A geographical term describing an area of provinces or territories where RCMP has jurisdiction or is present. Regions are subdivided into divisions.
Satisfied Finding
A finding typically found in a Final Report, stating that the Commission is satisfied with the conduct of the RCMP member(s).
Statutory Mandate
Legal authority provided for by legislation.
Statutory Requirement
Legal obligation as provided for by legislation.
Appendix B: List of IssuesFootnote 37
Issues
Examples of Use
Aboriginal Community
Complaints stemming from an incident on a reserve; complaints lodged through one of the Friendship Centres and the FSIN; complaints about discrimination against aboriginal individuals.
Abusive Language
Offensive language; profanity; swearing; racist, sexist or other oppressive language.
Alcohol/Drugs
(not intoxication)
(not intoxication)
Used when the complaint is related to alcohol or drugs but the individual is not intoxicated, e.g. a drug bust, open liquor in vehicle and possession of drugs.
Arrest
Complainant was arrested during the incident; usually corresponds to improper arrest allegations; complainant is unhappy about the way they were arrested.
Attitude
Other than abusive language; disrespect; harassment; intimidation; police attitudes; rudeness.
Care in Custody
Improper care while in police custody, e.g. dirty cells, no mattress, cold cells and ignoring requests for food or shower.
Chemical Irritants
Pepper Spray; OC Spray; Capsicum spray; Tear gas; Mace; Oleoresin Capsicum Spray.
Child Abuse Response
Includes both physical and sexual abuse against children.
Child Custody
Child access disputes; custody of children.
Civil Disputes
/No child
/No child
Includes property disputes.
Conflict of Interest
Investigating member related to the witness and or complainant; members using their authority as police officers for non-police purposes, etc.
Criminal Investigation Quality
Complainant is not happy with the way a criminal investigation was conducted; this includes all aspects of investigations such as interviewing witnesses and examining and handling evidence, concealment, evidence, investigation, witnesses and misleading reports.
Crowd Controlt
Demonstrations; riots.
Custody Deaths
Death of an arrestee after being taken into custody; cell deaths; police-involved shootings; Taser deaths; drug overdose.
Detention
Involves suspect being held in cells; drunk tank.
Entry of Premises
Member enters premises without owner's permission.
Intoxication
Use of alcohol or drugs; drunkenness; impaired driving; use of breathalyser.
Informants/Sources
Complaint about member's use of informants or sources.
Lethal Weapons
Used when the complaint is about the member's use or threatened use of a lethal weapon; firearms; guns; revolvers; side arms.
Lying under Oath
Perjury; member lying in court.
Medical Care
Access to medications; providing proper medical attention.
Mental Illness
Member involvement with individuals suffering from mental illness.
National Security
Includes terrorism.
Non-Custody Deaths
Includes criminal investigations into non-custody deaths.
Non-lethal Weapons/No chem.
Tasers; stun guns; water hoses; rubber bullets; baton.
Non-pursuit Police Driving
Includes members parking improperly; driving irregularities while transporting suspects.
Non-spousal, Non-child Assault Response
Member response to assault; does not include child or spousal abuse. Bar fights; violent civil disputes, etc.
Non-spousal, Non-child Sexual Assault Response
Member response to sexual assault; does not include child or spousal abuse. Rape victims.
Note-taking Quality
Quality of member's notes on incident forms; allegations of lying on police reports.
Police Physical Abuse no Restraints
Usually corresponds with excessive use of force allegations. Police brutality; police beatings; punching; kicking; throwing; slamming into wall.
Police Pursuit Driving
Car chase; high-speed pursuits.
Policy
Complaint about specific RCMP policies.
Property mishandling
Lost, stolen, or damaged property due to member involvement; withholding property from complainant; releasing property to someone other than the owner of the property.
Public Complaint Investigation Quality
Complaints about the way a public complaint was handled; complaints about dispositions; complaint processing.
Release/Disclosure of Info.
Information dissemination; release of police involvement to someone other than the suspect.
Restraints
Choke holds; handcuffs (too tight); hog tie; neck holds. Sometimes corresponds to use of force allegations.
Right to Counsel
Suspect was not allowed to contact a lawyer or was not told of their right to contact a lawyer.
Search
Complaint about a search; search of premises, person, vehicle, etc.
Seizure
Complaint about the seizure of personal property; includes weapons, drugs, etc.
Service
Improper service by members; refusal to respond to complaints; not arranging for appropriate child care while taking a parent into custody; used when the service failure cannot be categorized by another issue.
Spousal Abuse Response
Domestic violence; includes physical and sexual abuse;
Use of Police Dogs
Dog bites; dog searches.
Vehicular Incidents
Driving-related complaints; crash site response; driving tickets; includes cars, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.
Witness Protection Program
Complaint involving an individual in the witness protection program.
Youth Interaction
Complaint involving members' interaction with youth under the age of 18.
Appendix C: Map of RCMP Divisions
Appendix D: Complaint Process
The Chair can initiate his own complaint. In addition, at any stage of the process, the Chair may institute an investigation or a hearing where he considers it advisable in the public interest.
Footnotes
- Footnote 37
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The list of issues incorporates words or phrases most commonly used by complainants and the RCMP to describe the situation and context of the complaints.
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