After eighteen months, no deadline in sight for CRCC systemic investigation of the RCMP C-IRG
Photo: Michelaine Lahaie, CRCC chairperson.
On March 9, 2023, this news release announced that Michelaine Lahaie, the Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC), had initiated a systemic investigation into the activities and operations of the RCMP “E” Division Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG).
That was 18 months ago.
The investigation was launched after the CRCC had received nearly 500 formal complaints about the RCMP C-IRG.
As CBC has reported: “More than 100 grievances accepted for investigation contain allegations of excessive force, illegal tactics, unprofessional behaviour, racism, discrimination and charter violations by the force’s Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG).”
On June 7, 2023, about four months into this process, the CRCC told PBI-Canada: “The CRCC strives to complete its systemic investigations within 12-18 months; however, the timely provision of requested information and access to RCMP personnel will largely determine when the CRCC’s report will be available.”
A couple days later, on June 9, 2023, Lahaie told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: “We are now looking at the Community-Industry Response Group in British Columbia. That’s a big investigation. It’s taking up a lot of my resources but it’s absolutely critical that we do it. But we had to wait for additional program integrity funding to come in before I could actually launch that investigation.”
Then on November 23, 2023, the CRCC posted an update on the investigation on their website. That update noted: “The investigation is progressing, though significant delays in receiving the relevant materials from the RCMP continue. The CRCC has received little information or records from the RCMP “E” Division since July 2023, despite regular follow-ups and requests for updates. This will impact the timeline for the completion of the investigation.”
On January 24, 2024, the CRCC told us: “As we continue to gather and analyze all relevant information in the ongoing systemic investigation of the C-IRG, we cannot provide an anticipated publication date at this time.”
Following that, on February 16, 2024, they told us: “As the investigation continues, we cannot confirm a date on the next public update.”
Today, the CRCC tells us: “The systemic review is active and ongoing, but we cannot speculate on when it will conclude. To date, the CRCC has received nearly 25,000 files. This includes more than 17,000 videos and images. The RCMP’s responsiveness has significantly improved, and information is now being received in a timely manner.”
Shortly after the systemic investigation was launched 18 months ago, the Abolish C-IRG coalition stated: “Given the nature of the complaints and substantial evidence supporting them, we argue for the suspension of all C-IRG deployment in BC pending investigation and resolution of all complaints currently before the CRCC. The CRCC reviews can take years to complete, and it is irresponsible to have this unit continue operations during that time, enabling the continuation of unlawful use of force, arrests, detentions, and assaults that have sparked such an investigation.”
We continue to follow this.
Further reading: Gitxsan and Gitanyow land defenders anticipate RCMP CRU-BC violence as they peacefully resist the PRGT pipeline (excerpts from Ricochet article by Brandi Morin, September 9, 2024).
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