ARCHIVED - Review of the RCMP's Public Complaint Records - Division Reports: 2008

The Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Complaints Received

As in 2007, the Commission isolated the complaint numbers for Nunavut, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories as there is a continued concern that there has been an under-representation of actual public complaint numbers. Further, for 2008, the Commission noticed that informal resolutions have increased over the statistics of 2007 and that withdrawal of complaints is significantly higher that the 2008 Force-wide average. Public complaints lodged in the Territories which are actually subject to an investigation and Final Report is well below the Force average and the 2008 numbers show a decrease compared to those reported in 2007. The Commission has serious concerns with respect to the administration of the RCMP public complaint process within the Territories.⁶³

The Commission has received 58 complaint dispositions from Nunavut, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories combined related to complaints lodged in 2008. Of the 58 complaints received from the Territories, 37 (64%) were lodged with the Commission and 21 (36%) were lodged with the RCMP.

The Territories: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The number of complaint dispositions was further examined at the divisional level. The division identified most often in the complaint dispositions was "M" Division (50%), followed by "V" Division (28%) and "G" Division (22%). Of the 29 complaints received from "M" Division, 13 were lodged with the RCMP, while 16 were lodged with the Commission; of the 16 complaints received from "V" Division, 11 were lodged with the Commission and five (5) were lodged with the RCMP; and of the 13 complaints received from "G" Division, ten (10) were lodged with the Commission and three (3) were lodged with the RCMP.

The Territories: Number of Complaints by Division

The average number of members named in the complaints for the Territories was 1.5, with the rank of constable (74%) and corporal (14%) represented most often in the complaints.

The Territories: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 153 allegations were made against members in the Territories, which averaged about 2.6 allegations per complaint. The most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (15%), "Improper Attitude" (14%) and "Improper Use of Force" and "Oppressive Conduct" (14% each). This is in contrast to 2007, when the most common allegation was "Improper Use of Force", followed by "Improper Attitude" and "Oppressive Conduct".

The Territories: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints for the Territories were "Attitude" (16%), "Service" (11%) and "Arrest" (10%).

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the most frequently occurring allegations:

• The main issues that arose for "Neglect of Duty" were "Service" (17%) and "Criminal Investigation Quality" (14%).
• For allegations of "Improper Attitude" the key issues were "Attitude" (33%) and "Criminal Investigation Quality" and "Service" both at 9%.
• The main issues that arose from "Improper Use of Force" were "Arrest" (12%) and "Police Physical Abuse" (11%).
• The main issues identified in complaints dealing with allegations of "Oppressive Conduct" included "Service" (12%) and "Seizure" (10%).

The Territories: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints⁶⁴

The Territories: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received from the Territories, 18 (31%) were formally investigated and a Final Report was issued; below the Force-wide average of 43% and a decrease from 40% in 2007. These reports made determinations on 44 allegations. The allegations most likely to be disposed of in this manner were "Improper Persons/Vehicles Search" and "Improper Use of Force".

Overall, the RCMP's findings did not support the allegations with 80% of all allegations found unsupported. More specifically, while looking at each allegation separately, the RCMP's findings did not support the allegations between 67% and 100% of the time. The only exception is with regards to allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure" where the findings supported the allegation 80% of the time. For all allegations of "Improper Use of Force" and "Improper Use of Firearm" the RCMP did not support the allegations 100% of the time. With respect to allegations of "Statutory Offence", "V" Division supported two (2) out of six (6) allegations (33%).

Informal Resolutions

Informal resolutions occurred in 33% of the cases, slightly lower than the Force-wide average of 34% and an increase from 28% in 2007. Of the 27 allegations addressed, the allegations that were most likely to be subject to an informal resolution were "Improper Attitude" and "Oppressive Conduct".

Withdrawals

In 26% of the dispositions received from the Territories, the complainant withdrew the complaint, significantly higher than the Force-wide average of 16% but a decrease from 28% in 2007. A total of 23 allegations were disposed of in this manner, with allegations of "Improper Attitude" and "Neglect of Duty" being most likely to be withdrawn.

In all of the divisions in the Territories the percentage of dispositions that resulted in withdrawals was significantly higher than the Force-wide percentage; by at least ten (10) percentage points. This is a concern for the Commission, as there is evidence to suggest that public complaints are being improperly withdrawn and that informal resolutions are being erroneously captured as withdrawals on Forms 4110.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁶⁵

In 2008, in 10% of the dispositions received from the Territories, a Notice of Direction was issued which addressed 59 allegations. Allegations that were most likely to be subject to termination paragraphs included "Improper Search of Premises", "Improper Persons/Vehicles Search", and "Irregularity in Procedure". The grounds for termination most often invoked were paragraph (c).

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁶⁶

On average, it took 76 days to issue a disposition once the complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and a decrease from 99 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a complaint disposition was 76 for Commission-lodged complaints, the same number of days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

It typically took complainants in this division 306 days to lodge a complaint following the incident date. On average, complainants waited 172 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 543⁶⁷ days after the incident.

The Territories: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from the territories was 45 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 48 days for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is a significant improvement over 2007, where the numbers of days were 148 and 76 respectively.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• It took, on average, 115 days to issue a Final Report. For these cases, 661 days, on average, elapsed before a complainant lodged the original complaint.
• It took, on average, 67 days to issue a Notice of Direction. On average, 540 days elapsed before a complainant lodged the complaint in these cases.
• On average, it took 51 days to complete a withdrawal. On average, 45 days elapsed before a complainant lodged a complaint that was disposed of in this manner.
• On average it took 62 days to enter into an informal resolution. It took 102 days, on average, before a complainant lodged a complaint that was disposed of in this manner.

The Territories: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type for the three most common allegations.

• For allegations of "Neglect of Duty", it took, on average, 107 days to issue a disposition. It took, on average, a complainant 204 days after the incident date to file a complaint for this type of allegation.
• For allegations of "Improper Attitude", it took, on average, 45 days to issue a disposition. It took, on average, a complainant 105 days following the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• For allegations of "Improper Use of Force", it took, on average, 92 days to issue a disposition. It took, on average, a complainant 15 days following the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• For allegations of "Oppressive Conduct", it took, on average, 112 days to issue a disposition. It took, on average, a complainant 343 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.

A-National Capital Region

The Commission received 24 complaint dispositions from "A" Division, of which 13 (54%) were lodged with the Commission, while 11 (46%) were lodged with the RCMP. The vast majority of complaints (67%) identified the detachment as unknown.

"A" Division: Number of Complaints

The average number of members named in the complaints for "A" Division was 1.1; with constables (48%) being the rank most represented in the complaints.

"A" Division: Ranks Represented in Complaints

Allegations

A total of 51 allegations were made against members in "A" Division, which averaged about 2.1 allegations per complaint. The two most common allegations were "Improper Attitude" and "Oppressive Conduct" both at 22%, followed by "Neglect of Duty" and "Irregularity in Procedure" at 20%.

"A" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The two most common issues that were raised in the complaints were "Attitude" (28%) and "Service" (18%). In 2007, the most common issues identified were "Criminal Investigation Quality" (26%) and "Attitude" (17%).

"A" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the four most frequently occurring allegations: For complaints alleging "Improper Attitude" the most common issues were "Attitude" (46%) and "Vehicular Incidents" (29%). For allegations of "Oppressive Conduct" the key issue was "Attitude" (29%), with issues of interacting with those suffering from "mental illness" and "search" and "seizure" accounting for 14% each. The most frequent issue associated with both allegation categories of "Neglect of Duty" and "Irregularity in Procedure" was "Service" at 41% and 24% respectively.

Disposition of Complaints⁶⁸

"A" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 67% were formally investigated and a Final Report was issued. These reports made determinations on 37 allegations, the most common of which was "Irregularity in Procedure". Interestingly, the RCMP's findings supported only two (2) of the complainant's allegations (one [1] "Improper Attitude" and one [1] "Neglect of Duty").

Informal Resolutions

In one case (4%) the complaint was informally resolved. This complaint was related to allegations of "Improper Attitude" and "Neglect of Duty".

Withdrawals

Accounting for the second most common way to dispose of a complaint, withdrawals occurred in 21% of the cases. This is in stark contrast to 2007, when this type of disposition of a public complaint accounted for only 6% of cases. Withdrawals dealt with seven (7) allegations, the most common of which were "Improper Attitude" and "Oppressive Conduct".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁶⁹

Eight percent (8%) of the complaint dispositions were disposed of through a Notice of Direction, which represented two (2) complaints. In one case the termination paragraph was not specified and in another the investigation was terminated under paragraph (c). These terminations addressed four (4) allegations, the most common of which was "Improper Attitude"

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁷⁰

On average, this division took 119 days to issue any type of disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is slightly above the RCMP national average of 103 days, but is a decrease from 137 days in 2007. It took, on average, 151 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint.

"A" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days to issue a disposition was 98 days for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 142 days for RCMP-lodged complaints. In 2007, the average number of days to issue a disposition was 182 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 63 days for RCMP-lodged complaints. On average, complainants waited 181 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged only 118 day after the incident.

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 97 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 39 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• On average, it took 151 days to issue a Final Report. For these cases, on average, 202 days elapsed before a complainant lodged the original complaint.
• On average, it took 141 days to issue a Notice of Direction. On average, it took 175 days to elapse before a complainant lodged the original complaint.
• On average, it took 35 days to complete a withdrawal. For these cases, it took, on average, 10 days to elapse before a complainant lodged the original complaint that was subsequently disposed of in this manner.
• Bearing in mind there was only one complaint that was informally resolved; it took 21 days to enter into the informal resolution. For this case, it took 29 days to elapse before a complainant lodged the original complaint that was disposed of in this manner.

"A" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined for the most common allegation types.

• Allegations of "Oppressive Conduct", on average, took 130 days before a disposition was issued. On average, complainants waited 161 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty" took, on average, 103 days before a disposition was issued. Complainants lodged a complaint, on average, 230 days after the incident date.
• Allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure", on average, took 126 days for a disposition to be issued. On average, complainants waited 33 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.

B-Newfoundland and Labrador

Complaints Received

The Commission received 41 complaint dispositions related to complaints lodged in 2008. Of the complaint records received 20 (49%) were lodged with the RCMP, while 21 (51%) were lodged with the Commission.

The complaint dispositions were further examined at the detachment level. The detachments identified most often in the complaint dispositions included the Placentia Detachment (20%), followed by the Burin-St. Johns S/D Detachment (10%); the Glovertown and St. Johns S/Div H.Q. Detachments accounted for three (3) complaints each (7% each).

"B" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints for "B" Division was 1.5 with constables (63%) being the rank most represented in the complaints followed by corporals (17%).

"B" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 86 allegations were made, which averaged about 2.1 allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (48%), "Improper Attitude" (27%) and "Improper Arrest" (8%). Allegations were also examined at the detachment level.

"B" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For the Placentia Detachment, the results indicate that the most common allegations pertained to "Neglect of Duty" (47%), and "Improper Attitude" (40%). The most common type of allegation for the Burin-St. Johns S/Div Detachment as well as the Glovertown Detachment was "Neglect of Duty" (69% and 50%). Finally, the most common type of allegation for the St. Johns S/Div. H.Q. Detachment was "Improper Attitude" (67%).

Allegations were also analyzed by disposition type. For complaints involving allegations of "Neglect of Duty", it was common for the RCMP to issue a Final Report (85%). The same was true for allegations of "Improper Attitude" (70%). Allegations of "Improper Arrest" were disposed of through a Final Report in 86% of the cases.

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints for this division were "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (18%), "Attitude" (14%), and "Service" (13%).

"B" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints⁷¹

"B" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 71% were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. These reports made determinations on 70 allegations with the allegation most likely being addressed in this way being "Neglect of Duty".

Of these 70 allegations, only two (2) were found to be supported (Improper Arrest) which represents 3% of the total allegations. With respect to serious allegations ("Improper Use of Force" and "Statutory Offence") the RCMP did not support any of the five (5) allegations.

Informal Resolutions

Accounting for the second most common way to dispose of a complaint, informal resolutions occurred in 12% of the cases; addressing six (6) allegations. The allegation most likely to end in an informal resolution was "Improper Attitude".

Withdrawals

In 10% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint. Withdrawals disposed of six (6) allegations, the most common of which were "Improper Attitude" and "Neglect of Duty".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁷²

In 2008, 7% of all the dispositions received from "B" Division received a Notice of Direction, addressing four (4) allegations. In contrast, 2007 saw a Notice of Direction issued for 20% of all the dispositions received from "B" Division.

The allegations that were terminated in 2008 were "Improper Attitude" (2), "Irregularity in Procedure" (1), and "Neglect of Duty" (1).

In two (2) of the three (3) complaint dispositions, the termination paragraph was not specified in the Notice of Direction; in the remaining case, termination paragraph (c) was identified.

"B" Division: Number of Terminated Complaints by Grounds Identified in subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁷³

On average, it took 107 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and a slight increase from 99 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 93 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 121 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

It typically took 322 days to elapse before a complainant lodged the original complaint. On average, complainants waited 417⁷⁴ days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 222 days after the incident.

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 32 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 22 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for each of the four detachments in "B" Division with the most complaint dispositions:

• The Placentia Detachment took 109 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 167 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint.
• The Burin-St. Johns S/D Detachment took an average of 81 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 187 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint.
• The Glovertown Detachment took an average of 118 days to issue a disposition. On average, complainants waited 1,898 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint.
• The St. Johns S/Div. H.Q. Detachment took on average 13 days to issue a disposition for a public complaint. On average, complainants waited 82 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 129 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 250 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue an informal resolution it took an average of 74 days to issue a disposition. For these cases, 19 days, on average, elapsed before a complainant lodged the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction it took, on average, 14 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 1,876 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• For withdrawals it took on average 57 days to complete this type of disposition. For these cases, it took, on average, 57 days to elapse before a complainant lodged the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

Complaint timelines could be determined by allegation type. For the three most common types of allegations, timelines are reported:

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 120 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, complainants waited 521 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude", on average, took 74 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged a complaint 54 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Arrest" took 124 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 76 days to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "B" Division complaints involving "Statutory Offences" allegations, on average, took the longest time (281 days) to issue dispositions suggesting that these types of concerns might require more detailed and lengthy investigations. This interpretation is supported by the finding that complaints involving this type of allegation were issued a Final Report in all cases.

C-Quebec

Complaints Received

The Commission received 16 complaint dispositions of which 56% were lodged with the Commission and 44% were lodged with the RCMP.

"C" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints was 1.2. The most frequently occurring ranks of the subject members were constables (71%) and corporals and sergeants (12%).

"C" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 29 allegations were made, which averaged about 1.8 allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Improper Attitude" (24%) and "Neglect of Duty" (24%) and "Improper Arrest" (14%).

"C" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The four most common issues that were raised in the complaints were "Attitude" (30%), "Criminal Investigation Quality" (12%), "Arrest" (9%) and "Property Mishandling" (9%).

"C" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the three most frequently occurring allegations: For complaints alleging "Improper Attitude" the key issues were "Attitude" (58%), "Arrest" (17%) and "Medical Care" (17%). The main issues for "Neglect of Duty" included "Criminal Investigation Quality" (25%), "Service" (19%) and "Arrest", "Attitude" and "Conflict of Interest" each at 13%.

 Disposition of Complaints⁷⁵

"C" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 75% were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. This percentage is significantly higher than the Force-wide average of 43%.

These reports made determinations on 21 allegations, of which three (3) were supported by the RCMP. Allegations most likely to result in a Final Report were "Improper Attitude" and "Neglect of Duty". No serious allegations were lodged with this division.

Informal Resolutions

Only one informal resolution was received from this division, which dealt with an allegation of "Driving Irregularity".

Withdrawals

None of the complaint dispositions received by the Commission from "C" Division contained a complaint withdrawal.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁷⁶

In 2008, on average, in 19% of the dispositions received, a Notice of Direction was issued. The allegation most likely to be subject to a termination was "Irregularity in Procedure".

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁷⁷

On average, it took 109 days for the division to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and down from 130 days in 2007. Further broken down, the average number of days to issue a disposition was 110 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 108 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

It typically took 352 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint. On average, complainants waited 389 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 304 days after the incident.⁷⁸

"C" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 11 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 17 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• It took, on average, 138 days to issue a Final Report. For these cases it generally took 360 days to elapse before a complainant lodged a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• It took 12 days for a Notice of Direction to be issued. It generally took 437 days to elapse before a complainant lodged a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• For the only informal resolution received from this division it took 53 days to enter into this type of disposition. The complaint was disposed of the same day that it was lodged.

"C" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. Timelines are reported for the three most common types of allegations:

• Allegations of "Improper Attitude", on average, took 127 days for a disposition to be issued. On average, complainants waited 12 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint.
• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 116 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants lodged a complaint, on average, 577 days after the incident date.
• Allegations of "Improper Arrest", on average, took 220 days for a disposition to be issued, the longest average to issue a disposition from this division. Complainants lodged a complaint, on average, 410 days after the incident date.

It is interesting to note that within "C" Division complaints involving "Improper Arrest" allegations, on average, took the longest time (220 days) to issue dispositions.

D-Manitoba

Complaints Received

The Commission received 107 complaint dispositions of which 68% were lodged with the Commission, while 32% were lodged with the RCMP.

"D" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The complaint dispositions were further examined at the detachment level. The detachments identified most often in the complaint dispositions included Thompson (10%), The Pas (8%), and Selkirk (8%). In comparing the three detachments, it was found that:

• For the Selkirk Detachment, three (3) (33%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission, while six (6) (67%) were lodged with the RCMP.
• For The Pas Detachment, six (6) (67%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission and three (3) (33%) were lodged with the RCMP.
• For the Thompson Detachment, six (6) (55%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission, while five (5) (45%) were lodged with the RCMP.

The average number of members named in the complaints for "D" Division was 1.7 with the rank of constable (73%) being the most frequently represented rank in the complaints, followed by the ranks of corporal (13%) and staff sergeant (6%).

"D" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 271 allegations were made against members in "D" Division, which averaged about 2.5 allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (46%), "Improper Attitude" (20%), and "Improper Use of Force" (11%).

"D" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were also examined at the detachment level. "Neglect of Duty" was the most common of the allegations cited in the complaint dispositions received from the Selkirk (50%) and The Pas (35%) Detachments. However, in the Thompson Detachment, the most common allegation was "Improper Use of Force" which represented 32% of all allegations from that detachment.

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues raised in the complaints for "D" Division were "Service" (14%), "Attitude" (14%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (10%), "Arrest" (7%), and "Vehicular Incidents" (7%).

"D" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the two most frequently occurring allegations: For complaints involving allegations of "Neglect of Duty" the key issues were "Service" (21%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (14%), and "Attitude" (10%). For allegations of "Improper Attitude" the most prominent issues that were identified included "Attitude" (31%), "Service" (14%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (8%), "Vehicular Incidents" (7%), and "Abusive Language" (7%).

Disposition of Complaints⁷⁹

"D" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 39 (36%) were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. These reports made determinations on 134 allegations. Sixteen percent (16%) of these allegations were found to be supported, which is slightly higher than the Force-wide average of 10%. Allegations most likely to be subject to a Final Report were "Improper Use of Force" and "Statutory Offence".

For almost every type of allegation, with the exception of "Driving Irregularity" and "Policy", the overwhelming majority (67-100%) of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegation(s). With respect to serious allegations ("Improper Use of Force" and "Statutory Allegations" the RCMP did not support any of the 29 allegations made.

Informal Resolutions

Informal resolutions occurred in 32% of the complaint dispositions received, which addressed 65 allegations. The allegations most likely to be informally resolved were "Improper Search of Premises" and "Improper Attitude".

Withdrawals

In 22% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint, which disposed of 43 allegations. The allegation most likely to be withdrawn was "Improper Arrest".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁸⁰

In 9% of all public complaints received, a Notice of Direction was issued, which dealt with 29 allegations. In half of the ten (10) cases, termination paragraph (c) was cited in the Notice of Direction. In four (4) of the remaining cases, termination paragraph (b) was cited, while as in one (1) case termination paragraph (a) was applied.

The Force-wide percentage of dispositions that were Notices of Direction was 6%, while Notices of Direction accounted for 9% of "D" Division dispositions. While the number of terminations is still higher than the Force-wide percentage, the discrepancy is much less than in 2007 (24%).

The allegation most likely to be subject to a Notice of Direction in this division was "Oppressive Conduct", with 73% of "Oppressive Conduct" allegations being dealt with in this way.

"D" Division: Number of Terminated Complaints by Grounds Identified in subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁸¹

"D" Division, on average, took 93 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 80 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 121 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

It typically took 181 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint compared to the national average of 200 days. On average, complainants waited 227 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 82 days after the incident.⁸²

"D" Division: Complaint Timeline by Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 97 for Commission-lodged complaints and 99 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report by the RCMP it took an average of 151 days to issue a disposition. For these cases it generally took 162 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction, invoking any termination provisions, it took 42 days. It generally took 702 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took 70 days. It generally took 94 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• Complainants took approximately 49 days to withdraw a complaint. Generally, 138 days elapsed before a complainant lodged a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"D" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the two most common types of allegations, timelines are reported:

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 85 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, complainants waited 274 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude" on average took 74 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged a complaint 121 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.

It is of note that, within the division, complaints involving "Statutory Offence" allegations, on average, took the longest time (167 days) to issue dispositions.

E-British Columbia

Complaints Received

The Commission received 785 complaint dispositions from "E" Division related to complaints lodged in 2008. Of the 785 complaint dispositions received from "E" Division, 611 (78%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission, while 174 (22%) were lodged with the RCMP. This is a significant change from 2007, where 67% of the complaints were lodged with the Commission and 33% were lodged with the RCMP.

The complaint dispositions were further examined at the detachment level. The detachments identified most often in the complaint dispositions were the Surrey Detachment (8%), followed by the Kelowna Detachment (6%), the Coquitlam Detachment (5%), and the Kamloops Detachment (5%).

"E" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

In comparing the eight detachments, it was found that:

• For the Surrey Detachment, 61 (92%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission, while 5 (8%) of them were lodged with the RCMP.
• For the Kelowna Detachment, 35 (73%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission, while 13 (27%) of them were lodged with the RCMP.
• For the Coquitlam Detachment, 26 (68%) were lodged with the Commission and 12 (32%) were lodged with the RCMP.
• For the Kamloops Detachment, 25 (66%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission and 13 (34%) were lodged with the RCMP.

The average number of members named in complaints in this division was 1.4, with constables most frequently being represented (76%), followed by corporals (12%).

"E" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 1,876 allegations were made against members, which averaged about 2.4 allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (31%), "Improper Attitude" (23%) and "Improper Use of Force" (12%).

"E" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were also examined at the detachment level:

• For the Surrey Detachment, the results indicated that the most common allegation was "Neglect of Duty" (39%), followed by "Improper Attitude" (24%) and "Oppressive Conduct" (10%).
• For the Kelowna Detachment, the results indicated that the most common allegations included "Neglect of Duty" (31%), "Irregularity in Procedure" (15%), "Improper Use of Force" (14%), and "Improper Attitude" (13%).
• For the Coquitlam Detachment, typical allegations included "Neglect of Duty" (30%), "Improper Attitude" (29%), and "Improper Use of Force" (13%).
• For the Kamloops Detachment, the most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (40%), "Improper Attitude" (22%), and "Irregularity in Procedure" (9%).

Allegations were further analyzed by member rank. In "E" Division, "Neglect of Duty" (32%) was the most common allegation made against constables, followed by "Improper Attitude" (23%) and "Improper Use of Force" (12%).

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints for "E" Division were "Attitude" (15%), "Service" (12%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (10%), "Vehicular Incidents" (8%) and "Arrest" (8%).

Trends in the issues were also identified by detachment:

• The main issue identified in complaints from the Surrey Detachment was "Attitude" (20%), followed by "Criminal Investigation Quality" (14%) and "Service" (11%).
• The main issue identified in complaints from the Kelowna Detachment was "Attitude" (14%), followed by "Service" (11%) and "Vehicular Incidents" (10%).
• The main issues identified for the Coquitlam Detachment were "Attitude" (18%), "Vehicular Incidents" (11%), and "Arrest" (8%).
• The main issues in complaints from the Kamloops Detachment were "Attitude" at 20% followed by "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)", "Service", and "Vehicular Incidents" all at 10%.

"E" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints⁸³

"E" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 311 (40%) were formally investigated and a Final Report was issued. These reports made determinations on 930 allegations with allegations of "Improper Search of Premises" and "Improper Use of Force" being the most likely to be disposed of in this manner.

At the detachment level, Final Reports accounted for:

• 9 of the 66 dispositions received from the Surrey Detachment (14%);
• 22 of the 48 dispositions received from the Kelowna Detachment (46%);
• 36 of the 38 dispositions received from the Coquitlam Detachment (95%);
• 17 of the 38 dispositions received from the Kamloops Detachment (45%).

Most of the RCMP's findings contained in the Final Report did not support the complainant's allegation(s). For almost every type of allegation, with the exception of "Service", the overwhelming majority (85-100%) of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegation(s). However, for allegations involving "Service", two (2) of the three (3) allegations were found to be supported (67%). With respect to serious allegations ("Improper Use of Force", "Improper Use of a Firearm" and "Statutory Offence") the RCMP supported two (2) of the 153 allegations made or 1.3% of these kinds of allegations.

Informal Resolutions

Accounting for the second most common way to dispose of a complaint, informal resolutions occurred in 38% of the cases. In total, 554 allegations were informally resolved, with allegations of "Service" and "Policy" most likely to be resolved in this manner.

At the detachment level, informal resolutions accounted for:

• 18 (27%) of the dispositions from the Surrey Detachment;
• 17 (35%) of the dispositions from the Kelowna Detachment;
• 16 (42%) of the dispositions from the Kamloops Detachment;
• None of the dispositions from the Coquitlam Detachment.

Withdrawals

In 17% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint. In total, 313 allegations were withdrawn, the most likely being "Improper Use of Firearms" and "Statutory Offence".

At the detachment level, withdrawals accounted for:

• 18 (27%) complaint dispositions from the Surrey Detachment;
• 9 (19%) complaint disposition from the Kelowna Detachment;
• 1 (3%) complaint disposition from the Coquitlam Detachment;
• 3 (8%) complaint dispositions from the Kamloops Detachment.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁸⁴

In 2008, in 6% of all public complaints received from "E" Division, a Notice of Direction (termination) was issued. In 18% of the 45 cases, the termination paragraph was not specified in the Notice of Direction. Termination paragraph (c) was most often invoked (69%). In total, 79 allegations were addressed by way of a termination, with allegations of "Improper Persons/Vehicles Search" and "Oppressive Conduct" being the most likely to be subject of a termination.

At the detachment level, Notices of Direction accounted for:

• 21 (32%) dispositions received from the Surrey Detachment;
• 1 (3%) disposition received from the Coquitlam Detachment;
• 2 (5%) dispositions received from the Kamloops Detachment;
• No dispositions from the Kelowna Detachment.

"E" Division: Number of Terminated Complaints by Grounds Identified in subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁸⁵

In 2008, "E" Division, on average, took 98 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and down from 111 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 102 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 83 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

It typically took complainants 150 days after the incident date to file a complaint. On average, complainants waited 178 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 53 days after the incident.⁸⁶

"E" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 97 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 87 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for each of the four detachments that were identified most often in the complaints.

• On average, the Surrey Detachment took 79 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Typically, for these cases complainants waited 97 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint.
• The Kelowna Detachment took an average of 80 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 111 days after the incident date.
• The Coquitlam Detachment took 48 days to issue a disposition. Complainants waited an average of 147 days following the incident date to file the original complaint.
• The Kamloops Detachment, on average, took 100 days to issue a disposition following receipt of the complaint. For these cases complainants waited an average of 132 days after the incident to lodge the complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it typically took 136 days. In these cases, it took, on average, 223 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To capture a withdrawal it took an average of 75 days. It took, on average, 101 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction it typically took 69 days. It took, on average, 382 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took 72 days. In these cases, it took, on average, 60 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"E" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the three most common types of allegations, timelines are reported.

• For complaints involving allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, it took 108 days to issue a disposition. On average, complainants waited 159 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• For "Improper Attitude", on average, it took 95 days to issue a disposition. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 71 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• Finally, for "Improper Use of Force" it took, on average, 131 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 194 days to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "E" Division complaints involving "Policy" allegations, on average, took the longest time (159 days) to issue dispositions. However, given that informal resolutions accounted for 55% of all dispositions associated with the allegation type it is unclear why it took so long to dispose of these complaints.

F-Saskatchewan

Complaints Received

The Commission received 166 complaint dispositions of which 59% were lodged with the Commission, 39% were lodged with the RCMP and 2% were lodged with the FSIN.

"F" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

In analyzing the two detachments identified most often in complaints, it was found that:

• For the North Battleford Detachment, six (6) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission (55%), and five (5) were lodged with the RCMP (45%).
• For the Kamsack Detachment, three (3) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission (38%), one (1) was lodged with the FSIN (13%) and four (4) were lodged with the RCMP (50%).

The average number of members named in the complaints for "F" Division was 1.5, with the rank of constable being represented most often (71%) followed by the rank of corporal (11%) and sergeant (9%).

"F" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 365 allegations were made against members in "F" Division, which averaged about 2.2 allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (27%), "Improper Attitude" (25%), and "Irregularity in Procedure" (12%).

"F" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were also examined at the detachment level:

• For the North Battleford Detachment, the results indicated that the most common allegations were "Improper Use of Force" at 37% followed by "Improper Attitude" at 26%.
• For the Kamsack Detachment, the results indicated that the most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" and "Oppressive Conduct" both at 32%.

"F" Division: Allegations for FSIN-Lodged Complaints

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints for "F" Division were "Attitude" (15%), "Service" (11%), "Arrest" (8%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (7%) and "Vehicular Incidents" (7%).

"F" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints⁸⁷

"F" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received from "F" Division, 46 (28%) were formally investigated and a Final Report by the RCMP issued. These reports made determinations on 154 allegations, with the most likely allegations being "Statutory Offence" and "Improper Use of Force".

For all allegations, the majority of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegation(s) (81-100%). Overall, only 17 allegations were found to be supported (12%). With respect to serious allegations ("Improper Use of Force", and "Statutory Offence") the RCMP supported one (1) of the 26 allegations made or 3.8% of those kinds of allegations.

Informal Resolutions

Accounting for the most common way in this division to dispose of a complaint, informal resolutions occurred in 73 (44%) cases. The percentage of dispositions that resulted in informal resolutions in "F" Division was 10 percentage points higher than the Force-wide percentage of 34%. Informal resolution disposed of 115 allegations, which were most likely to be related to "Improper Attitude" and "Mishandling of Property".

Withdrawals

In 17% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint. This disposition type disposed of 55 allegations, the most likely of which was "Irregularity in Procedure".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁸⁸

In 11% of all public complaints received from "F" Division a Notice of Direction was issued. In one (1) of the 19 complaints that were terminated (5%), the termination paragraph was not specified in the Notice of Direction. Termination paragraph (c) was most often invoked (58%). Notices of Direction disposed of 41 allegations, the most likely of which was "Mishandling of Property".

"F" Division: Number of Terminated Complaints by Grounds Identified in subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁸⁹

In 2008, "F" Division, on average, took 99 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and represents a significant improvement from 137 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 109 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 83 days for RCMP-lodged complaints. For complaints lodged with the FSIN, it took an average of 92 days to issue a disposition.

It typically took complainants 359 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint. On average, complainants waited 336 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 314 days after the incident. Complainants, on average, took 1,616⁹⁰ days after the incident date to lodge a complaint with the FSIN.

"F" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 48 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 43 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints. For complaints lodged with the FSIN, it took 90 days for the Commission to receive a copy of the disposition.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for the two detachments identified most often in complaint dispositions:

• The North Battleford Detachment took 126 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. On average, it took complainants only 52 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint.
• The Kamsack Detachment took an average of 108 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 873 days after the incident date.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 186 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 275 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, 59 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 65 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• For a complainant to withdraw a complaint it took, on average, 67 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 233 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction it took, on average, 83 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 1,861 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"F" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the three most common types of allegations, timelines are reported.

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty" took, on average, 115 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 393 days to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude", on average, took 94 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 502 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure", on average, took 147 days for a disposition to be issued. On average, complainants waited 290 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "F" Division complaints involving "Statutory Offence" allegations, on average, took the longest time (193 days) to issue dispositions.

G-Northwest Territories

Complaints Received

The Commission received 13 complaint dispositions from "G" Division with complaints involving the Yellowknife Detachment accounting for 38% of the total dispositions. Of the 13 complaints received from "G" Division, ten (10) were lodged with the Commission (77%), while three (3) were lodged with the RCMP (23%). For the Yellowknife Detachment, two (2) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission (40%) and three (3) were lodged with the RCMP (60%).

"G" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints for "G" Division was 1.3 with constables being represented in all but one complaint (93%). The final complaint was against a staff sergeant. No other ranks were identified.

"G" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 26 allegations were made against members in "G" Division, which averaged two (2) allegations per complaint. The two most common allegations were "Improper Use of Force" (31%) and "Improper Attitude" (23%). For the Yellowknife Detachment, the data indicates that most of the allegations related to "Improper Use of Force" (55%).

"G" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints were "Attitude" (16%) and "Arrest" (13%).

"G" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the most frequently occurring allegations:

• The main issues that arose for "Improper Use of Force" included "Arrest" (14%), "Police Physical Abuse" (12%) and "Chemical Irritant" (10%).
• For allegations involving "Improper Attitude" the key issue identified was "Attitude" (29%).

Disposition of Complaints⁹¹

"G" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, two (2) (15%) were formally investigated and a Final Report was issued. These reports made findings on five (5) allegations and found them all to be unsupported.

Complaints involving allegations of "Improper Use of Force" were most likely to be formally investigated with a Final Report issued in 50% of the cases. With respect to serious allegations (in this case "Improper Use of Force") the RCMP supported none of the four (4) allegations made.

Informal Resolutions

Informal resolutions occurred in 38% of the cases, which addressed 11 allegations. This is a significant increase from 17% of the dispositions disposed of in this manner for 2007. The allegation that was most likely to be subject to an informal resolution was "Improper Attitude".

Withdrawals

In 46% of all the public complaints from this division, the complainant withdrew the complaint. A total of ten (10) allegations were disposed of in this manner. This is a significant increase from the 33% of the dispositions what were disposed of in this way in 2007. Allegations of "Neglect of Duty" and "Irregularity in Procedure" were most likely to result in a withdrawal.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)

No Notices of Direction were received by the Commission from this division.

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁹²

On average, it took 82 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and a decrease from 106 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 96 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 38 days for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is in contrast to 2007 when the average number of days was 101 for Commission-lodged complaints and 132 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

On average it took 12 days for complainants to lodge a complaint after the incident date; this is a significant decrease from the average of 339 days in 2007. On average, complainants waited 13 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged seven (7) days after the incident.

"G" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 63 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 86 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is an improvement from 2007, when it took, on average, 93 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 103 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaints identifying the Yellowknife Detachment, on average, took 75 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged and an additional 74 days for the Commission to receive a copy of the disposition. Typically, complainants waited six (6) days after the incident date to lodge a complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took 131 days. For these cases, it generally took four (4) days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took 77 days. For these cases it generally took four (4) days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• For a complainant to withdraw a complaint it took, on average, 71 days. For these cases, it generally took 20 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"G" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the most frequently occurring types of allegations, timelines are reported.

• Allegations of "Improper Use of Force", on average, took 116 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, complainants waited seven (7) days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint with this type of allegation.
• Allegations involving "Improper Attitude" took 66 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint seven (7) days after the incident date with this type of allegation.

Interestingly, allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure", on average, took 225 days before a disposition was issued.

H-Nova Scotia

Complaints Received

The Commission received 104 complaint dispositions of which 55 (53%) were lodged with the RCMP, while 49 (47%) were lodged with the Commission. The complaints were further examined at the detachment level. The detachments that were most often identified in the complaint dispositions included the Halifax Detachment (14%), followed by the Digby Detachment (8%) and the Antigonish Detachment (7%).

"H" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

In comparing the three detachments, it was found that for the Halifax Detachment, 60% of the complaints were lodged with the RCMP, while 40% of them were lodged with the Commission; for the Digby Detachment 88% of the complaints were lodged with the RCMP and 13% were lodged with the Commission; and for the Antigonish Detachment, 71% of the complaints were lodged with the RCMP, while 29% of them were lodged with the Commission. These numbers contrast with the Force-wide average where only 32% of complaints are lodged with the RCMP and 68% are lodged with the Commission.

The average number of members named in the complaints for "H" Division was 1.3, with the rank of constable being the most common rank (78%), followed by the rank of corporal (14%).

"H" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 241 allegations were made against members in "H" Division, which averaged about 2.3 allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Oppressive Conduct" (24%), "Neglect of Duty" (23%) and "Improper Attitude" (20%).

"H" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were also examined at the detachment level. For the Digby Detachment, the most common allegations related to "Improper Use of Force" (28%) and "Oppressive Conduct" (24%). The most common allegations for the Antigonish Detachment were "Improper Attitude" and "Irregularity in Procedure" both at 33%. For the Halifax Detachment the most frequent allegations were "Improper Attitude" (35%) and "Oppressive Conduct" (30%).

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints for "H" Division were "Attitude" (20%), "Service" (10%), and "Arrest" (9%).

"H" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Trends in the issues were also identified by detachment:

• For the Digby Detachment, the common issues raised were "Attitude" (28%) followed by "Vehicular Incidents" (10%) and "Youth Interaction with RCMP" (10%).
• The two most common issues identified in complaints received from the Antigonish Detachment were "Attitude" (24%) and "Entry of Premises" (18%).
• Lastly, for the Halifax Detachment, "Attitude" (26%) was the key issue identified in the complaints, followed by "Service" (10%) and "Vehicular Incidents" (10%).

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the three most frequently occurring allegations:

• For complaints alleging "Oppressive Conduct" the key issues were "Attitude" (15%) "Arrest" (13%) and "Service" (9%).
• For complaints alleging "Neglect of Duty" the key issues were "Service" (14%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (13%) and "Attitude" (12%).
• For complaints alleging "Improper Attitude" the key issues identified were "Attitude" (35%), "Vehicular Incidents" (11%), and "Youth Interaction with the RCMP" (8%).

Disposition of Complaints⁹³

"H" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 63 (61%) were formally investigated and a Final Report issued by the RCMP. These reports made determinations on 174 allegations, the most common of which were "Oppressive Conduct" and "Service".

For almost every type of allegation, with the exception of "Service", the overwhelming majority (75-100%) of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegation(s). Sixty percent (60%) of "Service" allegations were found to be supported while 40% were unsupported. With respect to serious allegations ("Improper Use of Force", "Improper Use of a Firearm" and "Statutory Offence") the RCMP supported one (1) of the 21 allegations made or 4.8% of these kinds of allegations.

Informal Resolutions

Accounting for the second most common way to dispose of a complaint, informal resolutions occurred in 21% of the cases. Informal resolutions dealt with 31 allegations, the most likely of which were "Improper Attitude" and "Service".

Withdrawals

In 13% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint. Withdrawals disposed of 28 allegations, with the most likely being "Improper Use of Force" and "Irregularity in Procedure".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)⁹⁴

In 6% of all public complaints received a Notice of Direction was issued. In total, eight (8) allegations were subject to termination paragraphs. In one (1) of the six (6) cases (17%), the grounds for termination were not specified in the Notice of Direction. Allegations most likely to be subject to a termination paragraph were related to "Neglect of Duty".

"H" Division: Number of Terminated Complaints by Grounds Identified in subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁹⁵

In 2007, "H" Division, on average, took 137 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged; this is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 118 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 154 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

On average, it took 243 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint. On average, complainants waited 351 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 146 days after the incident.⁹⁶

"H" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 19 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 21 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is significantly lower than 2007, when it took, on average, 64 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 54 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for each of the three detachments that were identified most often in complaint dispositions:

• On average, the Digby Detachment took 100 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Typically, for these cases complainants waited only 23 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint.
• The Antigonish Detachment took an average of 238 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 39 days after the incident date.
• Finally, the Halifax Detachment, on average, took 119 days to issue a disposition following receipt of the complaint. Surprisingly, complainants waited an average of 766 days after the incident to lodge the original complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report by the RCMP it took, on average, 163 days. For these cases, it generally took 168 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a notice of direction invoking any termination provision it took 59 days. For these cases, it generally took 1,460 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, 91 days. For these cases, it generally took 101 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To capture a withdrawal it took, on average, 124 days. For these cases, it generally took 282 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"H" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the three most common types of allegations, timelines are reported.

• Allegations of "Oppressive Conduct", on average, took 159 days for a disposition to be issued. On average, complainants waited 189 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 155 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged a complaint 210 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude" typically took 148 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 277 days to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "H" Division complaints involving "Driving Irregularity" allegations, on average, took the longest time (203 days) to issue dispositions.

J-New Brunswick

Complaints Received

The Commission received 108 complaint dispositions of which 77% were lodged with the Commission, while 23% were lodged with the RCMP. This is in contrast to 2007, where 62% of the complaints were lodged with the Commission and 38% were lodged with the RCMP.

The Codiac-Codiac District Detachment was identified in 13% of all public complaints related to this Division. In this detachment, 100% of the complaints were lodged with the Commission. Complaints from the Oromocto Municipal Detachment represented 8% of all complaints received from "H" Division. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of these complaints were lodged with the Commission while 22% were lodged with the RCMP.

"J" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints for "J" Division was 1.8, with the rank of constable being the most common rank identified in the total complaints (70%). The rank of corporal was represented in 16% of the complaints and sergeant was represented in 10% of the complaints.

"J" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 326 allegations were made against members, which averaged about three (3) allegations per complaint. The three most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (28%), "Improper Attitude" (22%) and "Irregularity in Procedure" (21%). Allegations of "Improper Use of Force" dropped from 12% in 2007 to 8% in 2008.

"J" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were also examined at the detachment level. For the Codiac-Codiac District Detachment, the results indicate that the most common allegations pertained to "Neglect of Duty" (28%), "Irregularity in Procedure" (26%), and "Improper Attitude" (21%). For the Oromocto Detachment, the most common allegations were "Irregularity in Procedure" (61%) and "Improper Attitude" (11%).

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issues that were raised in the complaints for "J" Division were "Attitude" (15%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (12%), and "Service" (10%). The most common issues identified in complaints received from the Codiac-Codiac District Detachment were "Arrest" (12%), "Attitude" (12%) and "Criminal Investigation Quality" (11%). For the Oromocto Detachment, the most common issues were "Criminal Investigation Quality" (21%) and "Vehicular Incidents" (21%).

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the three most frequently occurring allegations:

• For complaints alleging "Neglect of Duty" the key issues were "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (15%), "Service" (12%), and "Attitude" (11%).
• For complaints alleging "Improper Attitude" the key issues were "Attitude" (24%), "Service" (9%), and "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (8%).

For complaints alleging "Irregularity in Procedure" the key issues identified were "Service" (14%), "Entry of Premises" (9%), "Policy" (9%), "Child Custody" (9%), and "Youth Interaction with RCMP" (9%).

"J" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints⁹⁷

"J" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 58% were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. These reports made determinations on 225 allegations, the most likely being "Improper Search of Premises" and "Neglect of Duty".

For all types of allegation identified in the complaints, with the exception of "Improper Search of Premises", the overwhelming majority (83-100%) of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegation(s). "Improper Search of Premises" allegations were found to be supported 67% of the time and unsupported 33% of the time. With respect to serious allegations (in this case "Improper Use of Force") the RCMP supported none of the 18 allegations made.

Informal Resolutions

Accounting for the second most common way to dispose of a complaint, informal resolutions occurred in 21% of the cases and dealt with 59 allegations. The allegation most likely to be subject to an informal resolution was "Improper Use of Force" with 33% of these allegations being informally resolved.

Withdrawals

In 20% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint. In total, 42 allegations were withdrawn, the most likely being "Oppressive Conduct".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)

There were no Notices of Direction provided to the Commission by "J" Division.

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time⁹⁸

In 2008, "J" Division, on average, took 115 days to issue any type of disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and represents an increase from 93 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 117 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 109 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

On average, it took 267 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint. On average, complainants waited 283 days after the incident took place before lodging the original complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 215 days after the incident.⁹⁹

"J" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 24 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 25 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints. Specific to the Commission-lodged complaints this is an improvement from 2007 when it took, on average, 74 days.

Complaint processing times were also analyzed for complaints from the two most common detachments. On average, the Codiac-Codiac District Detachment took 117 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Typically, in these cases, complainants waited 146 after the incident date to lodge the original complaint. For the Oromocto Detachment, it took 97 days for a disposition to be issued while complainants waited 49 days after the incident to lodge a complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 141 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 292 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, 74 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 243 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To capture a withdrawal it took, on average, 83 days. For these cases, it generally took 223 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"J" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the three most common types of allegations, timelines are reported:

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 124 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, complainants waited 333 days after the incident date to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude", on average, took 116 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged a complaint 302 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure" typically took 137 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 278 days to lodge a complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "J" Division complaints involving "Irregularity-Evidence" allegations, on average, took the longest time (193 days) to issue dispositions.

K-Alberta

Complaints Received

The Commission received 388 completed complaint dispositions of which 58% were lodged with the Commission, 41% were lodged with the RCMP and 0.8% were lodged with the Alberta Solicitor General.

The detachments identified most often in the complaint dispositions were the Red Deer Detachment (6%), Grande Prairie Detachment (4%), Wetaskiwin Detachment (4%) and Wood Buffalo (4%). In 2007, the Red Deer Detachment accounted for 17% of all submitted complaints particular to this division.

"K" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints for "K" Division was 1.5, with the rank of constable (77%) being the most frequently represented rank of the total complaints. The rank of corporal was represented in 8% of the complaints, while sergeants were also the subject of 7% of the complaints.

"K" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 1,039 allegations were made against members in "K" Division, which averaged about 2.7 allegations per complaint. The most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (26%), "Improper Attitude" (20%), "Irregularity in Procedure" (13%) and "Improper Use of Force" (11%).

"K" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were also examined at the detachment level:

• For the Red Deer Detachment, most of the allegations related to "Neglect of Duty" (28%) followed by "Improper Attitude" (12%) and "Improper Use of Force" (10%).
• The most common allegations for the Grande Prairie Detachment were "Irregularity in Procedure" (31%) and "Neglect of Duty" (19%).
• For the Wetaskiwin Detachment, allegations of "Improper Attitude" and "Neglect of Duty" were equally common representing 34% each.
• Finally, in Wood Buffalo, the most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (43%), "Improper Use of Force" (17%), and "Irregularity in Procedure" (14%).

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The common issues that were raised in the complaints for "K" Division were "Attitude" (14%), "Service" (12%), "Arrest" (9%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (9%), and "Vehicular Incidents" (8%).

Trends in the issues were also identified by detachment:

• Common issues raised in the Red Deer Detachment were "Service" (14%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (12%), "Arrest" (11%), and "Attitude" (11%).
• For the Grande Prairie Detachment, common issues were "Service" (15%) and "Vehicular Incidents" (15%).
• In the Wetaskiwin Detachment, issues related to "Vehicular Incidents" (16%) and "Attitude" (14%) were most often raised.
• Finally, in Wood Buffalo, the most common issues were "Attitude" (12%) and "Service" (12%).

In "K" Division, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the three most frequently occurring allegations:

• In complaints alleging "Neglect of Duty" the key issues were "Service" (18%), "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (15%), and "Attitude" (11%).
• The main issues raised in complaints alleging "Improper Attitude" included "Attitude" (22%), "Service" (9%) and "Arrest" (9%).
• Issues raised in complaints alleging "Irregularity in Procedure" included "Service" (11%), "Arrest" (9%), and "Attitude" (9%).

Finally, for allegations involving "Improper Use of Force" the key issues identified were "Arrest" (15%), "Police Physical Abuse" (13%) and "Intoxication" (9%).

"K" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints¹⁰⁰

"K" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, the majority (44%) were formally investigated and a Final Report was issued. These reports made determinations on 574 allegations, the most likely of which were "Statutory Offence", "Improper Persons/Vehicles Search", and "Irregularity – Evidence".

For most allegation types the overwhelming majority of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegation(s) (85-100%). However, "Policy" and "Driving Irregularity" allegations were found to be supported 33% of the time, while as "Service" allegations were supported 75% of the time. The one allegation regarding "Equipment" was also found to be supported. With respect to serious allegations ("Improper Use of Force", "Improper Use of a Firearm" and "Statutory Offence") the RCMP supported six (6) of the 139 allegations made or 4% of these kinds allegations. Overall, allegations in "K" Division were found to be supported 12% of the time.

At the detachment level, Final Reports accounted for:

• 11 of the 24 dispositions received from the Red Deer Detachment (46%);
• 11 of the 16 dispositions received from the Grande Prairie Detachment (69%);
• 8 of the 15 dispositions received from the Wetaskiwin Detachment (53%);
• 12 of the 14 dispositions received from the Wood Buffalo Detachment (86%).

Informal Resolutions

Accounting for the second most common way to dispose of a complaint, informal resolutions occurred in 39% of the cases. Informal resolutions dealt with 324 allegations, the most likely being "Improper Attitude" and "Policy".

At the detachment level, informal resolutions accounted for:

• 10 of the 24 dispositions received from the Red Deer Detachment (42%);
• 4 of the 16 dispositions received from the Grande Prairie Detachment (25%);
• 6 of the 15 dispositions received from the Wetaskiwin Detachment (40%);
• 2 of the 14 dispositions received from the Wood Buffalo Detachment (14%).

It is interesting to note that in 2007, informal resolutions accounted for 47% of all dispositions in the Red Deer Detachment, which was 17 percentage points over the Force-wide average. In 2008, however, informal resolutions in the Red Deer Detachment represent 42% of total dispositions which is only eight (8) percentage points higher than the Force-wide average of 34%.

Withdrawals

In 14% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint. Withdrawals dealt with 110 allegations, the most likely being "Improper Search of Premises" and "Improper Use of Force".

At the detachment level, withdrawals accounted for:

• 2 of the 24 dispositions received from the Red Deer Detachment (8%);
• 1 of the 16 dispositions received from the Grande Prairie Detachment (6%);
• 1 of the 15 dispositions received from the Wetaskiwin Detachment (7%);
• None of the 14 dispositions received from the Wood Buffalo Detachment.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)¹⁰¹

In 2008, in 3% of all public complaints received, a Notice of Direction was issued. In two (2) of the 12 (17%) cases, the termination paragraph was not specified; however, the grounds for termination most often invoked were paragraph (c) (75%). In total, 31 allegations were subject to a termination paragraph, the most likely of which were "Oppressive Conduct" and "Mishandling of Property".

At the detachment level, terminations accounted for only one (1) of the 24 dispositions received from the Red Deer Detachment (4%). None of the complaints from the Grande Prairie, Wetaskiwin, and Wood Buffalo Detachments were terminated.

"K" Division: Number of Terminated Complaints by Grounds Identified in subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time¹⁰²

In 2008, "K" Division, on average, took 107 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and represents a decrease from 120 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 100 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 115 days for RCMP-lodged complaints and 139 days for complaints lodged with the Alberta Solicitor General.

It typically took 159 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint. On average, complainants waited 203¹⁰³ days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission. Complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 97 days after the incident and, on average, 98 days with the Alberta Solicitor General.

"K" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 57 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 64 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints and 26 days for Alberta Solicitor General-lodged complaints.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for each of the detachments which were identified most often in the complaints:

• On average, the Red Deer Detachment took 132 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Typically, for these cases complainants waited 168 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint.
• The Grande Prairie Detachment took an average of 108 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 99 days after the incident date.
• The Wetaskiwin Detachment took, on average, 118 days to issue a disposition. Complainants waited an average of 72 days following the incident date to file the original complaint.
• The Wood Buffalo Detachment, on average, took 190 days to issue a disposition following receipt of the complaint. For these cases complainants waited an average of 171 days after the incident to lodge the complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 169 days. For these cases it generally took 211 days to elapse before a complainant lodged the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction it took, on average, 71 days. For these cases, it generally took 55 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To capture a withdrawal it took, on average, 72 days. For these cases, it generally took 141 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, 51 days. For these cases, it generally took 115 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"K" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the four most common types of allegations, timelines are reported.

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty" took, on average, 104 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, complainants waited 224 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude" took, on average, 103 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 113 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure" took, on average, 121 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 123 days to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Use of Force" took, on average, 183 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 181 days to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "K" Division complaints involving "Statutory Offence" allegations, on average, took the longest time (216 days) to issue dispositions by the RCMP in this division.

L-Prince Edward Island

Complaints Received

The Commission received six (6) completed complaint dispositions from "L" Division related to complaints lodged in 2008. Of the complaints received 67% were lodged with the RCMP, while 33% were lodged with the Commission.

"L" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints was 1.5, with the rank of constable being the most commonly represented rank (56%), with the rank of corporal representing 22%.

"L" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 23 allegations were made against members in "L" Division, which averaged about 3.8 allegations per complaint. The prevalent allegations included "Neglect of Duty" (57%) and "Improper Attitude" (26%).

"L" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The common issues identified in the complaints were "Attitude" (20%) and "Service" (15%).

"L" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the two most frequently occurring allegations: For complaints alleging "Neglect of Duty" the key issue was "Attitude" (24%), "Mental Illness" (24%) and "Release/Disclosure of Information" (21%). This is in contrast to 2007, where the only key issue was "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (40%). The main issues identified in complaints alleging "Improper Attitude" included "Attitude" (30%) and "Release/Disclosure of Information" (20%).

Disposition of Complaints

"L" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, 67% were formally investigated and a Final Report issued by the RCMP. These reports made determinations on 18 allegations. The allegation most likely to be subject to a Final Report was "Neglect of Duty"; however, this type of disposition also addressed five (5) allegations of "Improper Attitude" and two (2) allegations of "Irregularity in Procedure". In "L" Division, 100% of the RCMP's findings did not support the complainant's allegations.

Informal Resolutions

The Commission only received one informal resolution, which dealt with one allegation of "Improper Attitude" and one allegation of "Service".

Withdrawals

The Commission did not receive any complaint dispositions that resulted in a complaint withdrawal.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)¹⁰⁴

The Commission only received one complaint disposition that captured a Notice of Direction; there was no termination paragraph cited. This complaint contained two (2) allegations; one of "Neglect of Duty" and one of "Mishandling of Property".

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time¹⁰⁵

In 2008, "L" Division, on average, took 78 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is an improvement from 114 days in 2007 and compared to the RCMP national average for 2008 of 103 days. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 70 days for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 82 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

On average, it typically took 523 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint. On average, complainants waited 1,357¹⁰⁶ days after the incident took place before lodging the original complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 106 days after the incident.

"L" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 12 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 92 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the two most common types of allegations, timelines are reported:

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 93 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, complainants waited, on average, 627 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude", on average, took 87 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 728 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "L" Division complaints involving "Irregularity in Procedure" allegations, on average, took the longest time (116 days) to issue dispositions.

M-Yukon

Complaints Received

The Commission received 29 complaint dispositions from "M" Division of which 13 (45%) of the complaints were lodged with the RCMP and 16 (55%) were lodged with the Commission.

"M" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The detachment that was identified the most often in complaint dispositions was the Whitehorse Headquarters Detachment (41%). It was found that in this detachment, eight (8) (67%) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission, while four (4) (33%) were lodged with the RCMP.

The average number of members named in the complaints for "M" Division was 1.6, with constables being the most frequently represented rank in the complaints (66%), followed by the rank of corporal (20%).

"M" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 92 allegations were made, which averaged about 3.2 allegations per complaint. It should be noted that 36 allegations were made from one complainant; another made 15 allegations. The most common allegations were "Oppressive Conduct" (20%) and "Neglect of Duty" (13%).

"M" Division: Allegations Breakdown

Allegations were further examined at the detachment level. For the Whitehorse Headquarters Detachment, the results indicate that most of the allegations related to "Neglect of Duty" (45%), followed by "Improper Attitude" (25%), and "Oppressive Conduct" (20%).

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issue identified in the complaints for "M" Division was "Attitude" (18%), followed by "Service" (13%), and "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (10%).

"M" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Trends in the issues were also identified by detachment. For the Whitehorse Headquarters Detachment, the most common issues were the same as those for the division: "Attitude" (23%), "Service" (19%), and "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (19%).

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the most frequently occurring allegations:

• The key issues in complaints involving allegations of "Oppressive Conduct" include "Service" (15%), "Seizure" (12%) and "Alcohol or Drugs (Not intoxication)" (11%).
• For complaints alleging "Neglect of Duty" the most common issue identified by the Commission was "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (23%), followed by "Service" (19%), and "Spousal Abuse Response" (12%).

Disposition of Complaints¹⁰⁷

"M" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received from "M" Division, seven (7) (24%) were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. At the detachment level, Final Reports accounted for one (1) of the 12 complaint dispositions received from the Whitehorse Detachment. These reports made determinations on 12 allegations, with the most likely being "Improper Use of Force". None of the RCMP's findings supported the complainant's allegation(s).

Informal Resolutions

Complaints were informally resolved in 34% of the dispositions received from "M" Division; the primary mode of disposing of complaints in this division. In total, 11 allegations were informally resolved, and were most likely to be allegations of "Improper Attitude".

At the detachment level, informal resolutions accounted for four (4) (33%) complaint dispositions from the Whitehorse Headquarters.

Withdrawals

In 21% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint, which disposed of ten (10) allegations in total. The most likely allegation withdrawn was "Oppressive Conduct".

At the detachment level, withdrawals accounted for five (5) (42%) complaint dispositions from the Whitehorse Headquarters being the most common disposition type.

Terminations (Notice of Direction)¹⁰⁸

In 2008, in 21% of all public complaints received from "M" Division, a Notice of Direction was issued, in which the termination paragraph (c) was specified. In total, 59 allegations were subject to termination paragraph (c); 36 of which were from the same complainant.

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time¹⁰⁹

In 2008, "M" Division, on average, took 62 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is in comparison to the RCMP national average of 103 days and an improvement from an average of 99 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 39 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 90 days for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is in contrast to 2007 when it took, on average, 139 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 77 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

It typically took 562 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint. On average, complainants waited 311 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 871 days after the incident.

"M" Division: Complaint Timeline by the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 13 for Commission-lodged complaints. Interestingly, this is the same average number of days for RCMP-lodged complaints. By comparison, in 2007, it took, on average, 56 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 38 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for the detachment with the most complaints. The Whitehorse Headquarters Detachment took 49 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Typically, for these cases complainants waited 322 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 67 days. For these cases, it generally took 1,556 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction it took, on average, 67 days. For these cases, it generally took 540 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To capture a withdrawal it took an average of 26 days. For these cases, it generally took 47 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, 76 days. For these cases, it generally took 189 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"M" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the most common types of allegations, timelines are reported:

• Allegations of "Oppressive Conduct", on average, took 104 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited 380 days to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty" typically took, on average, 55 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants waited, on average, 365 days after the incident date to file the original complaint for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "M" Division, complaints involving "Mishandling of Property" allegations, on average, took the longest time (114 days) to issue dispositions.

O-Ontario

Complaints Received

The Commission received 24 completed complaint dispositions of which 7 (29%) were lodged with the RCMP, while 17 (71%) were lodged with the Commission.

"O" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints for "O" Division was 1.5; with constables being the most frequently represented in the complaints (49%). However, in eight (8) instances (23%) the subject member's rank was not identified, which may account for more constables and/or corporals.

"O" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 46 allegations were made against members in "O" Division, which averaged about 1.9 allegations per complaint. Frequent allegations included "Neglect of Duty" (30%), "Oppressive Conduct" (30%), and "Improper Attitude" (26%).

"O" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The typical issues raised in the complaints for "O" Division were "Attitude" (26%), "Service" (17%), and "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (11%).

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the three most frequently occurring allegations: The primary issue identified in complaints pertaining to "Neglect of Duty" included "Service" (36%) and "Criminal Investigation Quality (RCMP)" (24%). "Oppressive Conduct" allegations included issues related to "Attitude" (24%) and "Service" (11%). For complains involving allegations of "Improper Attitude" the main issues were "Attitude" (44%) and "Service" (15%).

"O" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Disposition of Complaints¹¹⁰

"O" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received from "O" Division, 50% were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. These reports made determinations on 27 allegations, the most likely of which was "Oppressive Conduct". The Final Reports did not support the complainant's allegations in 96% of the cases. Only one (1) allegation was found to be supported and it was related to "Irregularity in Procedure".

Informal Resolutions

Informal resolutions occurred in 8% of the cases. In total, three (3) allegations were informally resolved; two (2) of "Improper Attitude" and one (1) of "Oppressive Conduct".

Withdrawals

In 13% of the cases received by the Commission, the complainant withdrew the complaint. In total, six (6) allegations were withdrawn with the most likely being "Improper Attitude".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)¹¹¹

In 2008, 29% of all public complaints received from "O" Division were issued a Notice of Direction, addressing ten (10) allegations. The allegation most likely to be subject to a termination paragraph was "Neglect of Duty". The most common termination paragraph invoked was (c).

"O" Division: Number of Terminated Complaint by Grounds Identified by subsection 45.36(5) of the RCMP Act

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time¹¹²

On average, "O" Division took 89 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. This is an increase from 69 days in 2007 and is closer to the 2008 RCMP national average of 103 days. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 98 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 71 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

On average, it took 461 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint. On average, complainants waited 522 days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged 332 days after the incident.¹¹³

"O" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this Division was 16 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 21 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is in comparison to 2007, where it took, on average, 104 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 98 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 146 days. For these cases, it generally took 518 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a Notice of Direction it took, on average, 33 days. For these cases, it generally took 594 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To capture a withdrawal it took, on average, 43 days. For these cases, it generally took 37 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, six (6) days. For these cases, it generally took 191 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"O" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the most common types of allegations, timelines are reported:

• Allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, took 66 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, for these cases complainants waited, on average, 546 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Oppressive Conduct", on average, took 117 days for a disposition to be issued. Typically, for these cases complainants waited, on average, 630 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint for this type of allegation.
• Allegations of "Improper Attitude" on average took 58 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 139 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.

It is interesting to note that within "O" Division complaints involving "Irregularity in Procedure" allegations, on average, took the longest time (196 days) to issue dispositions.

V-Nunavut

Complaints Received

The Commission received 16 complaint dispositions from "V" Division of which 11 (69%) were lodged with the Commission, while 5 (31%) were lodged with the RCMP.

The complaint dispositions were further examined at the detachment level. The detachment that was most often mentioned in the complaint dispositions was the Iqaluit Detachment with five (5) complaints representing 31% of the total complaints. Four (4) of the complaints were lodged with the Commission (80%), while one (1) was lodged with the RCMP (20%).

"V" Division: Number of Complaints Based on the Organization it Was Lodged With

The average number of members named in the complaints for "V" Division was 1.6 with the rank of constable (77%) being the most common rank followed by the rank of corporal (12%).

"V" Division: Number of Complaints by Member Rank

Allegations

A total of 35 allegations were made against members in "V" Division, which averaged about 2.2 allegations per complaint. The most common allegations were "Neglect of Duty" (20%) and "Statutory Offence" (20%). Allegations were also examined at the detachment level. For the Iqaluit Detachment, the results indicate that the most common allegation was "Neglect of Duty" (67%).

"V" Division: Allegations Breakdown

For every complaint disposition received, the Commission analyzed the reason and incident details in order to identify issues related to the nature of the complaint. The most common issue that the Commission identified in complaints from "V" Division was "Attitude" (14%), followed by "Arrest" (10%), "Service" (8%) and "Police Physical Abuse" (8%).

"V" Division: Commission-Identified Issues

Trends in the issues were also identified by detachment. For the Iqaluit Detachment, the most common issue identified in the complaints was "Attitude" (25%).

Further, the results revealed trends in the issues for each allegation. For the purpose of this analysis, the common issues will be reported for the most frequently occurring allegations:

• For allegations of "Neglect of Duty" the key issues were "Detention" (20%), "Care in Custody" (12%), "Arrest" (12%) and "Service" (12%).
• For allegations of "Statutory Offence" the key issue was "Police Physical Abuse" (18%).

Disposition of Complaints¹¹⁴

"V" Division: Number of Complaints by Disposition Type

Investigation and Final Report

Of the complaint dispositions the Commission received, nine (9) (56%) were formally investigated and a Final Report issued. These reports made determinations on 27 allegations, the most likely of which were "Improper Persons/Vehicles Search" and "Statutory Offence". The results show the RCMP supported the allegations in 33% of the time which is significantly higher than the force-wide average of 10%.

Informal Resolutions

Informal resolutions occurred in 25% of the cases, a decrease from 41% in 2007. This disposition type dealt with five (5) allegations. The allegation most likely to be informally resolved was "Improper Attitude".

Withdrawals

In 19% of the cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint, which disposed of three (3) allegations. The most likely of these allegations was "Improper Attitude".

Terminations (Notice of Direction)

In 2008, the Commission did not receive any Notices of Direction from "V" Division.

Service Standards: Complaint Processing Time¹¹⁵

In 2008, "V" Division, on average, took 97 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged, which is slightly less than the RCMP national average of 103 days. This is similar to "V" Division's average of 92 days in 2007. The average number of days to issue a disposition was 113 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to 64 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Further, on average, it took 81 days for a complainant to lodge a complaint in 2008. On average, complainants waited 114¹¹⁶ days after the incident took place before lodging a complaint with the Commission, while complaints lodged with the RCMP averaged nine (9) days after the incident.

"V" Division: Complaint Timeline Based on the Organization the Complaint Was Lodged With

The average number of days for the Commission to receive the complaint disposition from this division was 74 for Commission-lodged complaints as opposed to the 116 days it took for RCMP-lodged complaints. This is in contrast to 2007, when it took, on average, 182 days for Commission-lodged complaints and 153 days for RCMP-lodged complaints.

Complaint processing times were analyzed for the Iqaluit Detachment. It took on average 134 days to issue a disposition once a complaint was lodged. Typically, complainants waited 116 days after the incident date to lodge the original complaint.

Complaint timelines were also determined by disposition type:

• To issue a Final Report it took, on average, 149 days. For these cases, it took, on average, 112 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To issue a withdrawal it took an average of 64 days to issue a disposition. For these cases, it took, on average, 91 days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.
• To enter into an informal resolution it took, on average, six (6) days. For these cases, it took, on average, four (4) days for a complainant to lodge the original complaint that resulted in this type of disposition.

"V" Division: Number of Days to Issue the Disposition by Disposition Type

Complaint timelines were also determined by allegation type. For the two most common types of allegations, timelines are reported.

• For allegations of "Neglect of Duty", on average, it took 196 days for a disposition to be issued. Complainants, on average, lodged the original complaint 154 days after the incident date for this type of allegation.
• For allegations of "Statutory Offence", it took, on average, 94 days for a disposition to be issued once a complaint was lodged. On average, complainants waited nine (9) days to lodge the original complaint with this type of allegation.