Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): More than 400 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were accused of misconduct in 2024, resulting in at least 20 dismissals or resignations, according to an internal report released last month.
The RCMP recorded 443 cases of alleged misconduct during the year, involving 408 employees. Nearly one quarter of these cases led to “serious” disciplinary action, including ineligibility for promotion or forfeiture of more than 80 hours of pay. Ten employees were demoted to a lower rank or level — more than double the number of demotions recorded over the previous two years.
About five per cent of the cases, or roughly 22 incidents, resulted in termination or a directive to resign, marking the most severe disciplinary outcomes. More than 70 per cent of cases resulted in remedial or corrective measures, such as mandatory training, closer supervision, or deferred promotions.
The figures were disclosed in the RCMP’s Report on the Management of the RCMP Conduct Process, which was quietly released on January 21. Covering the 2024 calendar year, it is the fifth such report issued by Canada’s federal police force.
While the report does not detail individual cases, it outlines a wide range of misconduct, including inappropriate social media activity, sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and violations of the Criminal Code.
The 443 misconduct allegations represent a 12 per cent increase from 2023, when 394 cases were logged.
“As we continue to strengthen our conduct process, our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and transparency remains essential,” Assistant RCMP Commissioner Alfredo Bangloy said in the report. He added that these efforts are crucial to maintaining trust within the force and with the public.
The report comes amid a broader push for accountability across the federal public service. In 2024, the federal government directed departments and agencies to publish annual reports on employee misconduct and wrongdoing. Early reports from agencies such as the Canada Revenue Agency, Statistics Canada and Correctional Service of Canada have already revealed hundreds of disciplinary actions, including terminations.
