MEET THE COMMISH
Incoming commissioner is first woman to permanently lead national police force
Incoming RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki says she plans to ‘challenge assumptions, seek explanations’ as she works to transform an institution coping with accusations of racism and sexism into a diverse force that reflects modern Canada.
It’s only together that we can build an RCMP that is reflective of our diverse population.
Incoming RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki is “the absolute best person for the job … who just happens to be a woman,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told an audience at the RCMP Training Academy in Regina on Friday morning.
Lucki, currently commanding officer of the RCMP’s Training Academy, Depot Division, in Regina, will be the 24th leader of the national police force and the first woman to permanently hold the position. (Bev Busson held the role on an interim basis in 2006-07.)
A Mountie since 1986, Lucki will start in her new role next month.
Sgt.-Maj. Tammy Patterson, a colleague of Lucki’s since 2004, echoed Trudeau’s sentiment.
“I think she’s a good member. … She just happens to be a female,” said Patterson. “She’s very competent. … It’s just exciting because of what she brings to the force and the energy that she’s going to bring the office.”
Lucki, who has served in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan, gave some insight into that energy in a brief address in the Drill Hall, with rows of cadets in blue uniforms and red serge stationed behind her. She was not made available for interviews.
“I plan to challenge assumptions, seek explanations and better understand the reasons how we operate. This means that no stone will be left unturned,” Lucki said.
“I am confident that together we will meet our challenge head on and move forward to continue to modernize our organization.”
Her goal is “to leave the force better than when we started.”
As the RCMP copes with challenges, including allegations of sexual harassment and racism, Lucki suggested she is committed to a diverse national police force.
“It’s only together that we will continue to work toward a modern police service,” she said. “It’s only together that we can build and maintain relationships based on trust. And it’s only together that we can build an RCMP that is reflective of our diverse population.
“I truly believe that if people see themselves reflected in their police organization, that they themselves may see a future for themselves within that service, within our organization.”
Trudeau said Lucki’s skills and experience are “exactly what we need to move forward in a thoughtful, responsible way to restore the RCMP to a full position of trust that it really should have in the eyes of all Canadians.”
Regarding the RCMP’s relationship with Indigenous people, Trudeau said there is a “tremendous” amount of work to do.
He said this is something all Canadians care about.
“Everyone wants to see reduced crime. Everyone wants to see greater opportunities for Indigenous young people. Everyone wants to see opportunities for every single Canadian, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to live fulfilled, happy, successful lives …”
While fielding questions from reporters, Trudeau was asked if he regrets a tweet sympathizing with Colten Boushie’s family after the not guilty verdict in Gerald Stanley’s trial.
“I think it is impossible to look at the situation in our justice system and not recognize that our system has not fairly treated Indigenous people over the past decades and the past centuries,” said Trudeau, given the high proportion of Indigenous people who are incarcerated, their low representation on juries and other challenges “systemically.”
He said the government is working on concrete measures to address these issues.
In October 2016, Lucki was appointed the 57th commanding officer of the Depot in Regina, where all RCMP cadets are trained.
While her promotion leaves a vacancy at Depot, Patterson said Lucki will leave behind a legacy.
“(She) was always looking for ways to improve. She challenged us to always do things better and to do things different, and if we saw a problem, to come up with new ways of dealing with it, and she always challenged us to challenge the status quo,” said Patterson.
“I think that’s what we’ll lose, but I’m sure that she’ll have a hand in picking the person that comes in behind her and I’m sure she won’t leave us short there.”
Lucki’s speech was briefly interrupted when a cadet, standing at attention face-planted on the hardwood floor, leaving some small pools of blood.
Another cadet collapsed during Trudeau’s questioning, while a third walked off the floor.
Patterson said “it’s very common for members to faint on parade,” during long periods of standing still.