Only a third of Canadians surveyed, 35%, say they trust the RCMP’s national leadership, according to in-house research. The low approval rating for Commissioner Brenda Lucki follows a string of incidents that left a bare majority of Canadians, 51%, rating the Mounties as an honest police force..“They award lower marks when it comes to the calibre of its leadership,” said a pollsters’ report. “41% of Canadians rate the RCMP’s local leaders as effective and slightly fewer, 35%, offer a positive appraisal of its national leaders.”.“Tracking suggests that, as with many other issues, trust in the RCMP’s national leaders has eroded somewhat over the past year,” said the report. Asked if they agreed with the statement, “The RCMP has effective national leaders,” 35% agreed, 37% disagreed and 28% had no comment..Trust in the Mounties’ national leadership peaked at 57% in 2019. The RCMP subsequently saw a $1.1 billion class action lawsuit over alleged harassment of members, a public inquiry into RCMP conduct in a Nova Scotia shooting rampage that left 22 dead and police enforcement of a bank account freeze targeting Freedom Convoy sympathizers..“Tracking reveals a drop in satisfaction with the RCMP,” said Canadians’ Views. Asked if they agreed with the statement, “I have trust and confidence in the RCMP,” only 53% of Canadians said yes. It compared to 74% in 2019..Findings were based on questionnaires with 2,976 people nationwide. The RCMP paid Ekos Research Associates $83,765 for the report..“Tracking reveals a decrease in the proportion of Canadians with positive impressions of the RCMP,” said the report. “There is a six-point drop in the proportion of Canadians who believe the RCMP is an organization with integrity and a five-point drop among those who see RCMP personnel as honest.”.“The RCMP receives mixed reviews when it comes to innovation and transparency,” wrote researchers. “One in three Canadians, 34%, are satisfied with the level of information the RCMP provides about its work while a slightly larger proportion, 42%, express dissatisfaction in this area.”.“One in three Canadians, 34%, agree the RCMP is a forward looking and innovative organization and a slightly larger proportion, 39%, disagree,” said the report. “Findings also reveal half of Canadians, 50%, disagree with the idea the RCMP is an open and transparent organization.”.Pollsters cautioned a “significant minority” of Canadians also suspect the Mounties act inappropriately. “Most Canadians believe the RCMP generally acts within its authority although a significant minority believe the organization exceeds its authority at times,” said the report..“Six in 10, 61%, say the RCMP seldom exceeds its authority,” said Canadians’ Views. “Almost one in four, 22%, however feel the RCMP sometimes oversteps its boundaries.”
