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Canadians Disappointed by RCMP Allegations
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada appear dissatisfied by recent setbacks affecting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 42 per cent of respondents say their confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP has decreased over the last two years, while only three per cent say it has increased.
The RCMP is Canada's federal and national police force, and also operates under the direction of eight provincial and three territorial governments. The RCMP and its more than 25,000 employees are responsible for a wide range of duties, including enforcement of federal laws, domestic security, counterterrorism, policing in both rural and urban areas, and protection for Canadian and foreign dignitaries.
Last month, current and former RCMP officers alleged that the RCMP has committed fraud and abuse in managing its pension and insurance plans. Former RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli called the allegations "baseless" and claimed that no money is missing from the RCMP pension fund.
Interim RCMP commissioner Beverly Busson discussed the situation, saying, "I have already taken action in dealing with some of these concerns and will continue to do so until they are resolved. I especially want to fully examine the allegations of cover-up (...) involving the senior ranks of the RCMP. This new information is serious and I'm determined to get to the bottom of it as quickly and as transparently as possible." 57 per cent of respondents believe the allegations against the RCMP are definitely or probably true.
On Apr. 1, public safety minister Stockwell Day rejected claims that the RCMP is in a state of crisis, declaring, "I agree there are some problems being talked about and we're going to get to the bottom of that quite quickly. This is a force of some 25,000 men and women across the country, renowned throughout the world for what they do and how they do it. They do their job well, and with integrity, but some problems have come up."
Polling Data
Would you say your confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP has increased, stayed the same or decreased over the last two years?
Increased | 3% |
Stayed the same | 50% |
Decreased | 42% |
Not sure | 5% |
As you may know, current and former RCMP officers have made allegations against the RCMP, saying that the force has committed fraud and abuse in managing its pension and insurance plans. Former RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli has called the allegations "baseless" and claims that no money is missing from the RCMP pension fund. Do you think these allegations are true or untrue?
Definitely true | 7% |
Probably true | 50% |
Probably untrue | 12% |
Definitely untrue | 3% |
Not sure | 29% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,009 Canadian adults, conducted on Apr. 4 and Apr. 5, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
