Nearly 60 per cent of British Columbia RCMP employees have considered quitting their job over the past six months, says an internal staff survey obtained by the Sun.
The survey also found one in four B.C. RCMP employees had been “verbally harassed or tormented” within the past year, with the most common source of harassment being their direct supervisor.
In 2009, the RCMP conducted a national survey — of both sworn officers and civilian staff — to gauge morale.
A summary of the survey’s B.C. results, prepared for RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass, was obtained by the Sun through the Access to Information Act.
[More]
I rather expect being told to shut up, you have no opinion has some of the Mounties a little peeved
See link http://www.rafaelgomez.com/2010/05/11/deputy-commissioner-killam-to-mounties-keep-your-opinions-to-yourselves/
I remember the loyalty, dedication and high morale back in the 70′s and 80′s perhaps even into the early 90′s. I believe that the slow decline started after that. Granted genuine attempts have been made to correct the problem. It bothers me that practically everytime I encounter any of the front line members today and I ask them how it’s going they have little positive to say. As a matter of fact I ran into a couple of past co-workers not too long ago. They tell me they feel they suffer from a complete lack of support and it’s ‘every man for himself out there’. Now they said they spend every minute taking care of number one. One, an outstanding officer, took a napkin, did some calculations and happily quoted me the couple of years, down to even the number of months and days left until retirement. How sad is that? There are so many damn good Mounties out there that have literally thrown in the towel and can’t wait to get out. I honestly don’t think that management have a clue how to improve the situation. I don’t even know if it can be turned around at this late stage. That saddens me to no end.
How many have actually quit? I’ll agree that almost 60% is high but how many of us have never had bad day or 10 and thought about a change?
I’m not exactly sure what being verbally harassed or tormented means either. If someone says something out of line, you’d best straighten them out in a hurry. You’re police officers. You face much much worse on the street from criminals. If the RCMP is so corrupt that officers(supervisors) can get away with being abusive then disband and rebuild. They’re not much good to anyone by that point.
Perhaps the first thing that needs to be done is change the rules to become a member of the RCMP, and get rid of quotas re race, creed, color, gender and minority etc.
I’m with BTDT on this one. We both know a hell of a lot more than we are prepared to say at this point. I think this is an excellent report and should be pursued by the media.
I also thank “Robins111″ for his input — his link is important.
Update:
I will add something to this comment. The report is true and the media is deliberately ignoring it for reasons known only to them.
RCMP officers (as in my own case — not RCMP) have families to raise, homes to pay for — perhaps huge medical bills for a family member. In no way can they all get up and walk away.
And so they “take it” from a bunch of senior clowns who spend most of the day kissing the boss’s ass. Truth be told, they are stuck in limbo and I know that problem because I’ve been there.
As a result they adopt FIDO as the media homes in on them and try to survive until they can bail out.
I know exactly how they all feel (the pain and the anguish year after year) and it’s far past time it all ended.
Am I angry — “You betcha”.
The members deserve far better than they are getting and reporters should begin to start talking to them before they all start informing new recruits “you don’t want to go there”.
I suspect that is already happening.
Plus they had better learn French if they expect to join the senior ranks. ‘Its the essence of being Canadian’ says Iggy.
Speaking of Iggy…
As a rule, I don’t pass along these “add your name” lists that appear in emails. BUT this one is important. It has been circulating for months and has been sent to over 20 million people. To show your support for Michael Ignatieff please go to the end of the list and add your name.
1. Mrs Ignatieff
2.
#7, would that be his first wife, as the present one doesn’t use his name. LOL
Few people appear to care regarding this issue. “Good job” Iggy as you and friends continue to beat on our troops and everyone else in sight.
You boggle my mind.
I got out of the RCMP 15 yrs ago and have had no contact since I left. It was a “who you know” organization when I left and I can’t help but think it is still that way today.
I still maintain that it is far past time for the Federal Gov’t to get out of Provincial and Municipal contract policing and put in a better effort at national security. I can’t help but think that the Feds like the idea of having large amounts of loyal par military servants in most of the provinces.
mid island mike
I agree, Mike. Time to go.
#7…I also got a copy of that list but it had Mrs. McGuinty’s name on it and no one elses to show support for our crazy Premier Dalton McGuinty. Still very funny.