RCMP’s Efforts to Enhance Diversity and Inclusion
Date: June 12, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Branch/Agency: RMCP
Issue: Statistics from April 1st, 2019 published in the RCMP’s 2018-2019 Annual Employment Equity Report show that the increase in the number of individuals who self-identify as members of one or more employment equity groups has been slow compared to previous years.
Proposed Response:
- We are committed to providing every part of the country with culturally competent policing that can serve Canadian communities in a bias-free and professional manner. Welcoming individuals from all backgrounds into the RCMP is important to achieving this goal. The RCMP is an organization where dignity is expected and respect is earned.
- The RCMP continues to work towards modernizing its culture which includes being more inclusive and diverse.
- Like many departments, the RCMP has adopted Gender-based analysis+ as a tool to examine systemic issues and inequities. The RCMP Gender based analysis is being used as the organization reviews its recruiting practices, the training offered to front line officers, and as it continues to make key changes to workplace and operational policies.
- The RCMP is working with the newly created Management Advisory Board to incorporate its expertise in a number of areas, including workplace culture, human resources and governance.
- The RCMP is making concrete progress in establishing the foundation for change and to address key issues including diversity and inclusion, Wellness and Reconciliation.
- The RCMP is also actively supporting the National Action Plans to address gender-based violence, calls to justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commission, as well as the Anti-Racism Strategy led by Canadian Heritage.
- While there are a number of actions underway, seeing changes in its workforce in an organization as large as the RCMP will take time, but I am confident that the organization is moving in the right direction.
Background:
The RCMP is committed to modernizing its culture to foster an inclusive workplace that welcomes diversity. The RCMP prioritizes recruiting qualified applicants from broadly diverse backgrounds to offer culturally competent police services to Canada’s communities. We believe that diversity makes us a more innovative and resilient organization that is better able to serve all people of Canada.
The RCMP is currently working with a variety of cultural and community groups across Canada to raise awareness about opportunities for a career in policing. Career presentations and recruiting events, which take place across the country, will answer specific questions from diverse groups applying to and joining the RCMP.
We intend to continue efforts toward a more broadly diverse workforce through targeted initiatives including career fairs and cultural events that position the RCMP as an employer of choice; and to attract people who may not have considered a career in policing.
Ove the past two years, the RCMP has initiated a review of its policies and programs to ensure they are barrier-free. This included a GBA+ of its recruiting process, which identified areas for improvement. Further reviews are underway to address areas that are barriers to diverse applicants. The RCMP is also developing a strategy to increase diversity at the senior levels in response to a recent audit of Commissioned Officer Staffing.
Recently, the RCMP launched a pilot program to help Inuit candidates navigate the recruitment process. The goal is to encourage Inuit candidates to consider a career in policing with the RCMP, as well as to gain a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by Inuit applicants with a view to improving the application process.
Contacts:
Approved by: Gail Johnson, CHRO, 613-843-6199
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