Chair-Initiated Complaint and Public Interest Investigation: RCMP Seizure of Firearms in High River, Alberta

File No.: 2013-2013

Related Links

July 5, 2013

As Interim Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (Commission), I am initiating a complaint and public interest investigation into the conduct of those RCMP members involved in entering private residences and seizing firearms following flooding in High River, Alberta in June and July 2013.

Media reports and the RCMP outlined actions taken by RCMP members in High River following the flooding of the area and the consequential evacuation of its residents. Specifically, public concerns arose following reports that members had entered private residences in the area and seized firearms found within those residences. The Prime Minister's Office equally and publicly expressed concern in respect of the seizures.

In light of the foregoing, pursuant to subsections 45.37(1) and 45.43(1) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act (RCMP Act), I am today initiating a complaint and public interest investigation into the conduct of all RCMP members or other persons appointed or employed under the authority of the RCMP Act involved in the activities in High River, Alberta, specifically:

  1. whether the RCMP members or other persons appointed or employed under the authority of the RCMPAct involved in entering private residences in High River complied with all appropriate training, policies, procedures, guidelines and statutory requirements;
  2. whether the RCMP members or other persons appointed or employed under the authority of the RCMP Act involved in seizing firearms from private residences in High River complied with all appropriate training, policies, procedures, guidelines and statutory requirements; and,
  3. whether the RCMP national, divisional and detachment-level policies, procedures and guidelines relating to such incidents are adequate.
Date modified: