Regina Leader-Post

New RCMP boss wants more tolerance, diversity

Brenda Lucki officially takes over As first female commission­er

- ARTHUR WHITE-CRUMMEY

At a Regina ceremony marking her official investitur­e as head of the RCMP, Commission­er Brenda Lucki reflected on her first six months in what she called “the best job in the world.”

But she cautioned that getting things done at the national police force “seems to take a little bit more time than I thought.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Lucki the RCMP’S first permanent female commission­er in March. She was given a mandate letter and tasked with bringing transforma­tional change to the RCMP on issues like harassment and diversity.

“I am committed to standing up to bullying and harassment. I am committed to supporting the mental health and wellness of all employees. And finally, I’m committed to building strong relationsh­ips with Indigenous communitie­s,” Lucki said Thursday at the parade grounds of the RCMP Depot Division.

After outgoing commission­er Bob Paulson passed the tip staff and signed the parchment marking the formal change of command, Lucki spoke with reporters about what she has accomplish­ed so far — and what’s ahead for the force she now leads. She said she plans to sit down with her senior leadership next week to create a five-year plan and translate her priorities into action.

Lucki is already clear about what she wants to see during her tenure.

“I hope that the RCMP is more tolerant, it’s more inclusive, it’s more diverse,” she said. “An organizati­on of operationa­l excellence.”

On harassment, she said a group is now looking at options to change the way complaints are reported and investigat­ing. It has just provided her with a report.

“If a person comes forward, it doesn’t matter what we do. If they do not trust the system, they will not trust the results,” Lucki said. “So we have to create that trust.”

She also pointed to an ongoing process to solicit input from RCMP members. So far, some of the feedback has addressed harassment and issues with kit and clothing, according to Lucki.

“I think that voice at the front line is the voice we need to listen to,” she said.

But Lucki said she’s learning that changing a large organizati­on isn’t easy.

She acknowledg­ed that she still has a lot to learn about the way the RCMP works at the headquarte­rs level.

“I’d love to wave that magic wand and make all these great changes,” she said. “I just don’t know if we have the machine yet to do that.”

Thursday ’s change-of-command ceremony was the first at Regina’s Depot Division since 1900. It attracted dignitarie­s including Saskatchew­an Lt.- Gov. Thomas Molloy, federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, Saskatchew­an Justice Minister Don Morgan and two Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) vice chiefs.

The Indigenous leaders wrapped Lucki in a ceremonial blanket — a great honour in First Nations communitie­s.

The chiefs of police of Regina and Saskatoon were also on hand, full of warm thoughts for a commission­er who long worked in Saskatchew­an. Saskatoon Chief Troy Cooper called her “an ‘F’ Division girl.”

“I personally worked with her myself years ago,” he said.

“To have that kind of a connection with the RCMP at that level means a lot to us, because the RCMP are our partners in so many different integrated units. Brenda knows that.”

Regina’s Chief Evan Bray said he has experience­d Lucki’s willingnes­s to work with other forces in “the spirit of community safety.”

“It’s always good when we know the commission­er of the RCMP,” he said.

During her time in Regina this week, Lucki had a chance to reunite with her old troop. She said she joked about a comment she made at Depot Division 32 years ago. “I said I was going to be the first female commission­er of the RCMP. “Here I am — so they want me to start picking lottery numbers.”

 ?? BRANDON HARDER ?? RCMP Commission­er Brenda Lucki presided Thursday over a ceremony on parade square at Depot Division in Regina during which she was formally given her title amid pomp and a sea of red serge uniforms. She calls her new role ‘the best job in the world.’
BRANDON HARDER RCMP Commission­er Brenda Lucki presided Thursday over a ceremony on parade square at Depot Division in Regina during which she was formally given her title amid pomp and a sea of red serge uniforms. She calls her new role ‘the best job in the world.’
 ?? BRANDON HARDER ?? RCMP Commission­er Brenda Lucki, right, receives the RCMP tip staff from former commission­er Bob Paulson as Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale looks on Thursday.
BRANDON HARDER RCMP Commission­er Brenda Lucki, right, receives the RCMP tip staff from former commission­er Bob Paulson as Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale looks on Thursday.

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