The BC Civil Liberties Association's mission to gather the public's accounts of RCMP conduct in the North has culminated this week in distressing stories of abuse, racial profiling and false arrest - most significantly in Terrace.
And despite the informality of the study, the report has captured the public's attention even though it's impossible to verify the anonymous accusation made.
But there's evidence to suggest that in many Northern B.C. towns, lots of folks keep a wary eye on police - and the biggest culprit may be the fact that RCMP investigates allegations against its own members.
The RCMP has been accused of routinely neglecting to charge, arrest or even discipline Mounties for misconduct, even when judges support such actions.
Unfortunately, the organization's response to the BCCLA report shows they're still focused on protecting their own - without looking into the report's claims, they've cleared themselves of legal wrongdoing, discredited those speaking out against them and criticized the scope of the study.
But they are guilty of the very sin they say the BCCLA is committing.
On the one hand, they cry foul over being ignored, saying the study should've involved the force and its supporters.
On the other, they suggest "chronic offenders" who "do not welcome police enforcement initiatives" should not have a say.
Naturally, many criminals are biased when it comes to law enforcement, and they have a track record of unethical behaviour, so wouldn't hesitate to smear police with false accusations.
In contrast, most police officers are moral and upstanding, and know their business very well. But they too have a natural tendency to empathize with their own when it comes to assessing misconduct. It's just human nature.
The truth is neither police nor criminals nor civil libertarians should have all the power, which is why an independent, civilian body with the authority to level charges or disciplinary action should oversee policing practices.
It resolves not only the potential for dubious investigations, but also the perception of a cover-up.
It's shocking the RCMP has long resisted a move that would help the organization gain credibility. The absence of independent investigations is the very reason why such an anecdotal report as this one should get any traction at all in the public's imagination. And resisting thorough accountability just makes people believe there's reason to distrust police.
The good news is in June of last year, legislation was tabled in the House of Commons to amend the RCMP Act and establish a new civilian review body to replace the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP.
But the proposed law is a private member's bill with very little chanced of passing.
Meanwhile, it's tragic that so many men and women with the truly honourable intention of protecting the public would be smeared with the same brush as their less noble colleagues.
The RCMP needs to accept public opinion matters, not just their own rank and file.
