Commissioner warns of militarization of Mounties
Carbine rifle use a ‘balancing act,’ Paulson testifies at Labour Code trial over fatal shooting of 3 officers
MONCTON, N.B. — RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson testified Thursday that arming Mounties with high-powered carbine rifles raised concerns for him over the possible militarization of the force and needed to be done carefully.
On the stand at the force’s Labour Code trial in Moncton, N.B., Paulson said he worried that the weapons could create tension between the public and officers.
While members needed to be properly equipped, the C8 carbine had to be rolled out responsibly, he said.
“It’s a delicate balancing act,” he said. “We have seen situations in the U.S. and some in Canada where this can distance the public from the police.”
The national force faces four charges stemming from Justin Bourque’s 2014 shooting rampage that left three officers dead and two injured in Moncton. The RCMP is accused of failing to provide the appropriate equipment and training in an active-shooter event.
The C8 carbine rifles — a version of an assault rifle similar to an M16 — were not available to general-duty officers during Bourque’s shooting spree on June 4, 2014, and numerous witnesses have testified they could have made a difference.
Constables Fabrice Gévaudan, Dave Ross and Doug Larche were killed, while constables Éric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded when Bourque targeted police officers in hopes of sparking an anti-government rebellion.
Paulson wore a suit Thursday rather than his uniform for one of his final duties as commissioner. He is scheduled to retire at the end of the month after 32 years in the force.
The small courtroom was about half full. Among those watching Paulson’s testimony was one of the fallen officers’ wives, Nadine Larche, and Terry McKee of the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada.
Paulson said he was involved in initial discussions about the introduction of the C8 carbine, which the RCMP approved in September 2011.
He said it was not acceptable that officers were killed that June evening, but the carbine rollout was unfolding.
“The manner in which carbines were being rolled out was reasonable,” Paulson said.
He was asked by the defence if trainers should have foreseen it and trained officers for it. Paulson said no, but added that elements of the training were being done.
He said the RCMP needs to demonstrate the ability to use force, but force is not central to its presence.
“We have tanks, drones and machine guns, but are we going to a shoplifter with a carbine?” he said.
He said it doesn’t make sense to always be trying to match the weapons used by criminals, and it makes sense to focus on prevention.
Bourque was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 75 years after pleading guilty to three counts of firstdegree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
The Labour Code trial will resume July 4 for final arguments.