RCMP’S Paulson warns of ‘spin’ over dismissals
OTTAWA — The RCMP plans to dismiss members whose health problems prevent them from doing their job, and the RCMP commissioner is telling the rankand-file not to buy into any “spin” that says the force is “firing” officers with PTSD who have filed harassment complaints.
In an internal memo sent to members on Wednesday, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said the force has to be a good steward of public funds, and make sure its officers have healthy backup out on the street.
“In the coming days, you may hear stories about the administrative discharge of members who have been off-duty sick (ODS) for a prolonged period. The spin may be that the RCMP is ‘firing’ employees who are ODS long-term with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after making a harassment complaint for example,” Paulson wrote in the internal memo.
“Let me assure you that this is not the case,” the commissioner continued.
Paulson said he had heard from members “loud and clear” that long sick-leave absences place a burden on staff, and he noted that it leaves the RCMP unable to permanently fill the positions. Paulson disclosed that members have asked management to be accountable and “to hold members accountable.”
Paulson said the force could not “in good conscience” pay someone a full salary indefinitely whose health prevents them from doing their job.
The commissioner noted the force’s efforts to keep employees at work and highlighted the force’s support programs and benefits.
In a move to massage any upcoming negative media spin, Paulson said outspoken RCMP officers may not tell the public the whole story.
“There may be a select few RCMP employees who have been ODS long-term and choose to be vocal about their case; I ask that you keep in mind that they can be selective about the details they put forward,” Paulson wrote.
“The RCMP has an obligation to both our officers who rely on each other for support and backup, and the Canadians who pay our salaries, to manage our workforce responsibly and be good stewards of public funds. Accordingly, I have decided to move to limit the accumulation of annual leave for members who are ODS long-term with a non-work related illness or injury.
“While we can — and will — make all reasonable efforts to accommodate our members’ healthy return to work; we cannot, in good conscience, continue to pay a full salary indefinitely to an employee whose health prevents them from performing duties within the RCMP,” wrote Paulson.
In the last year, up to 35 members on sick leave have received return-to-work letters.