Info Source
Table of Contents
General Information
Introduction to Info Source
Info Source describes the programs and activities, and the information holdings related to programs and activities, of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act to facilitate the right of access. It also provides individuals, including current and former employees of the Government of Canada, with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.
An index of institutions that are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act is available centrally.
The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.
Background
Until November 27, 2014, the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) existed as the review body for RCMP conduct. It was also known by its official legal title: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Public Complaints Commission. The CPC was established by Parliament in March 1986, as a result of recommendations arising from the 1976 Commission of Inquiry Relating to Public Complaints, Internal Discipline and Grievance Procedure within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Marin Commission) and the 1981 Royal Commission of Inquiry Concerning Certain Activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (McDonald Commission). Part VII of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act (RCMP Act), which made the CPC operational, came into force on September 30, 1988. The CPC was an independent body reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Public Safety Canada.
On November 28, 2014, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (CRCC) replaced the CPC as a result of the coming into force of the Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act (ERCMPAA).The ERCMPAA amended the RCMP Act to establish a new Royal Canadian Mounted Police review and complaints body with enhanced powers and duties. As stipulated in the ERCMPAA, the CRCC retained the CPC's existing records and personnel, and assumed responsibility for the CPC's ongoing investigations and operations. The CRCC continues to exercise the powers, duties and functions set out in Parts VII, VII.1 and VII.2 of the RCMP Act and reports to Parliament annually through the Public Safety Minister.
Responsibilities
Like the CPC, the CRCC was established to receive and review complaints about the conduct of regular and civilian RCMP members in the performance of their duties under the RCMP Act. As set out in Parts VII, VII.1 and VII.2 of that Act, the mandate of the CRCC is to receive complaints from the public about the conduct of RCMP members; conduct reviews of RCMP conduct and specified RCMP activities; hold hearings and investigations; and report findings and make recommendations. Its mission is to provide civilian review of RCMP members' conduct so as to hold the RCMP accountable to the public.
The CRCC ensures that complaints about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. Its findings and recommendations help identify, correct and prevent the recurrence of policing problems caused by the conduct of specific RCMP members or by flaws in RCMP policies or practices.
With its enhanced powers, the CRCC is able to identify and review a broad range of RCMP activities with a view to addressing critical concerns of public interest and conduct joint reviews with other law enforcement review bodies.
For more information about the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP, please see the CRCC web site where there is information on the Commission's program responsibilities and major policies
Institutional programs and activities
Institutional-specific content
CIVILIAN REVIEW OF RCMP MEMBERS' CONDUCT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES
When an individual has a concern about the conduct of an RCMP member, he or she can make a complaint. When a complaint is received by the CRCC, it is put in writing and sent to the RCMP for investigation. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the RCMP's investigation, he or she can request that the CRCC conduct a review of the RCMP's initial investigation.
Upon receiving a request for review, the CRCC requests from the RCMP all relevant information regarding the complaint. CRCC analysts then examine the information provided by both the complainant and the RCMP. The CRCC may agree or disagree with the RCMP's initial findings. In its reports, the CRCC makes its own findings and may make recommendations aimed at improving RCMP conduct and RCMP policing policies.
The CRCC manages all phases of the complaint and review process, including intake, analysis, review and investigations. The CRCC may also implement public education and information programs and conduct research and consultation.
The CRCC explores systemic issues underlying complaints. The work also contributes positively to the important debates that occur when considering public policy in relation to policing issues. The CRCC also examines RCMP complaint dispositions that have not been referred to the CRCC for review.
This provides a foundation to assess how effectively the RCMP public complaints system is functioning overall.
Complaints and Reviews of Complaints
Description: This activity includes all steps that may be undertaken in response to a public complaint. First, the CRCC receives complaints from individuals about RCMP conduct and forwards these complaints directly to the RCMP for investigation. Second, the CRCC reviews the RCMP disposition of these complaints if so requested by the complainant. Third, in appropriate cases, the CRCC conducts its own investigation into public complaints. Finally, in exceptional cases, the CRCC may initiate a hearing to more fully examine a complaint.
Record include information relating to complaints by the public concerning the conduct of members of the RCMP in the performance of their duties; reviews of complaints when complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP's handling of their complaints; and investigations and hearings into matters in accordance with the mandate of the CRCC. The Complaint Intake and Review Directorate is the main administrator of this program.
Document Types: Case files, reports, copies of findings and recommendations, correspondence, statements, transcripts, forms, terms of reference, minutes of meetings, and policies and procedures.
Record Number: CRCC OPS 001
Complaints and Reviews of Complaints Personal Information Bank
Description: This bank contains information in the possession of the CRCC (Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP) relating to: complaints by the public concerning the conduct of members of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police); reviews of complaints when complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP's handling of their complaints; complaints initiated by the Chairperson; investigations and hearings into complaints; reviews of specified RCMP activities; and independent observations of serious incident investigations. The bank contains statements from individuals; interview transcripts; audio and video recordings; photographs, correspondence with and reports about complainants, RCMP members and witnesses, police reports and supporting evidence. The bank may contain, depending on the nature of the complaint, review, investigation or hearing, personal information in the form of an individual's name; his or her contact information; incident details; and views or opinions of another individual about the individual.
Class of Individuals: Complainants, members of the RCMP, witnesses and other individuals involved in the complaint, review, investigation or hearing.
Purpose: The purpose of this bank is to record, to inquire into and to follow up on complaints, reviews, investigations and hearings into the conduct and/or activities of members of the RCMP and the CRCC's ensuing recommendations. As required by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act (RCMP Act), some of this information is shared with the RCMP and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency.
Consistent Uses: The information is used by the CRCC to fulfill its mandate under the RCMP Act, as well as for research, planning, evaluation and statistical purposes.
Retention and Disposal Standards: Complaint files where no review is requested are destroyed 10 years after the file is closed. Complaint files where a review has been conducted, Chairperson-initiated complaint files, public interest investigation files, hearing files, specified activity review files, and independent observer files are maintained for 10 years after the file is closed and then transferred to Library and Archives Canada as historical records.
RDA Number: 96/011
Related Record Number: CRCC OPS 001
TBS Registration: 002640
Bank Number: CRCC PPU 005
Policy and Research
Description: The CRCC maintains a team of policy and research specialists who provide research and analysis into systemic policing issues and trends and public safety issues of national interest. This work supports the CRCC's core mandate and assists in identifying systemic problems and areas for improvement within the RCMP. For more information on some of the topics studied by the CRCC, please see Research and Analysis on the CRCC website.
Records include reports comparing policies, training and best practices in policing, surveys of literature on specific policing topics, briefing notes on public inquiries or major events involving the RCMP; CRCC policy and procedure documents; briefing notes on changes to provincial or federal legislation that impact CRCC operations; statistical reports that track performance criteria such location, type, and number of complaints; delays in the complaint process, and RCMP's implementation of the CRCC's recommendations; papers on the collection and ethical of use of demographic data and evidence-based decision making. The Strategic Operations and Policy Directorate's Data Research Unit and the Policy and Operational Support group are the main administrators of this activity.
Document Types: Studies, reports, analyses, correspondence, project documentation, statistical reports, issues identification documents, surveys, policies and procedures, and communications plans.
Record Number: CRCC SPR 001
Systemic Investigations
Description: The Commission has the authority to conduct reviews of specified RCMP activities for the purpose of ensuring accordance with legislation, regulation, ministerial direction, or RCMP policies, procedures or guidelines. These reviews can be initiated by the Commission, or, at the request of either the Minister of Public Safety, or a provincial or territorial minister responsible for policing in a province or territory where the RCMP provides service. Past systemic investigations may be found on the CRCC website at Systemic Investigations
Records include witness interviews; public consultation feedback, investigation reports into RCMP programs, activities and operations; policies, procedures, and guidelines. The Strategic Operations and Policy Directorate's investigators are the administrators for this activity.
Document Types: Studies, reports, analyses, correspondence, project documentation, statistical reports, issues identification documents, surveys, policies and procedures, and communications plans.
Record Number: CRCC SPR 002
Internal Services
Internal services constitute groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are management and oversight services, communications services, legal services, human resources management services, financial management services, information management services, information technology services, real property services, materiel services, acquisition services, and travel and other administrative services. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.
Legend
- Standard Classes of Records (CoRs)
- Standard Personal Information Banks (PIBs)
Acquisition Services
Acquisition services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.
Communications Services
Communications services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well‑coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.
Financial Management Services
Financial management services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.
Human Resources Management Services
Human resources management services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and plans.
- Awards (Pride and Recognition) Class of Record
- Classification of Positions Class of Record
- Compensation and Benefit Class of Record
- Employment Equity and Diversity Class of Record
- Hospitality Class of Record
- Human Resources Planning Class of Record
- Labour Relations Class of Record
- Canadian Human Rights Act – Complaints Personal Information Bank
- Discipline Personal Information Bank
- Grievance Personal Information Bank
- Harassment Personal Information Bank
- Disclosure of Wrongdoing in the Workplace Personal Information Bank
- Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and Organizational Code(s) Personal Information Bank
- Occupational Health and Safety Class of Record
- Official Languages Class of Record
- Performance Management Reviews Class of Record
- Recruitment and Staffing Class of Record
- Relocation Class of Record
- Training and Development Class of Record
Information Management Services
Information management services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.
Information Technology Services
Information technology services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.
Legal services
Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.
Management and Oversight Services
Management and oversight services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or plans.
- Cooperation and Liaison Class of Record
- Executive Services Class of Record
- Internal Audit and Evaluation Class of Record
- Planning and Reporting Class of Record
Materiel Services
Materiel services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.
Real Property Services
Real property services involve activities undertaken to ensure that real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.
Travel and Other Administrative Services
Travel and other administrative services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.
Classes Of Personal Information
In the course of conducting the activities of the CRCC, personal information may be accumulated that is not contained in the specific personal information banks described in this entry. This personal information exists in a fragmented form throughout the subject files of the CRCC. Examples of such personal information include routine correspondence of an administrative nature, information requests, inquiries and unsolicited applications for employment. This type of information is not normally retrievable by the name of an individual or other personal identifier. It can be located only if specific and sufficient details are provided. The retention period for this information is controlled by the records disposal schedules of the general subject files in which it is stored.
Manuals
- Business Rules for Conducting Public Interest Investigations
- Information Management Business Rules
- Intake Unit Business Process
- Review Unit Business Process
Additional Information
For general information about making a request for access to information or personal information, see Make an access to information or personal information request.
To make a request for information online, access the Access to Information and Personal Information Online Request Service.
To make a request for information under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act by mail, mail your letter or completed Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent or the $5 application fee for a request under the Access to Information Act), to the following address:
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP
P.O. Box 1722, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 0B3
In accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, an area on the premises will be made available to review original materials on site if that is the applicant's preference (and it is practical to do so), or if it is not practical to create copies of the material.
Please note: Each request made to the CRCC under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5. For requests made online, this is paid at the time of application via credit card. For requests made by mail, this should be paid by enclosing cheque or money order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.
The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through requests outside of the formal request processes.. To make an informal request for information, please use the Commission's online contact form or send a letter to this address:
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP
P.O. Box 1722, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 0B3
You may also wish to search summaries of completed access to information requests for which the CRCC has already provided responses, as this information may be more easily obtained. You may also wish to review available open data regarding the CRCC:
The CRCC conducts privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to ensure that privacy implications will be appropriately identified, assessed and resolved before a new or substantially modified program or activity involving personal information is implemented. Summaries of completed PIAs are available.
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