Peacekeeping Missions and The Police In Canada

An Impact Study of Civilian Police Officers and Police Services

This project was undertaken to explore, and provide information about, an issue or topic. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or the Government of Canada.

Executive Summary

This research project evaluates the relevance of police officer participation in peacekeeping missions, as well as the benefits that police services and police officers gained by participating.

We conducted 143 interviews with peacekeepers/police officers of all ranks from the RCMP and municipal, regional and provincial police services, as well as with officers in charge of peacekeeping; chiefs or their representatives; union representatives; members from the RCMP International Peacekeeping Branch based in Ottawa; partners (DFAIT, Canadem, the Lester B. Pearson Canadian International Peacekeeping Training Centre), and spouses. We also conducted a detailed examination of all the relevant literature (reports, studies, articles, surveys, etc.), in order to understand the evolution of peacekeeping priorities for the RCMP.

The objectives were threefold:

• To explore how the RCMP and police services have evolved over the last 15 years in the area of peacekeeping missions.
• To evaluate the impact of peacekeeping missions on the police in Canada
• To provide an overview of the vision, insights and the richness of the experience and expertise of Canadian police officers.

Key findings and observations

• A positive change is noticed in police officers's professional attitudes upon their return from missions.
• Management and executive interviewees from municipal, provincial and regional departments strongly supported missions.
• For them the relationship with the RCMP is very positive.
• Missions put police men and women into direct contact with international initiatives and world problems.
• Police officers from municipal, regional and provincial services and RCMP divisions (excluding HQ) seemed to appreciate their mission experience more for its own sake than as a springboard for future promotion.
• A general and common comment was that missions had assumed importance as pivotal experiences in the personal lives and careers of mission participants.
• Missions should be viewed as part of the educational process for police officers.
• Missions were described as part of this country and as very Canadian.
• The experiences of returning police officers were described as a by-product that needs to be evaluated.
• Police services have their own responsibilities relative to peacekeeping missions: promoting and encouraging officers to volunteer for missions.
• The peacekeeping missions program is not included in any strategic planning process in police services. As pointed out, missions are driven by financial and international situations.
• No direct costs were incurred by police services for sending officers on missions. Some agencies have taken upon themselves to take ownership to support the program. Missions provided them with a greater visibility within as well as outside the country. Police officers have returned with a new vision on life.
• Police associations have not been involved in any aspects of peace missions. They view missions as management decisions. Comments revealed that they were supportive of missions because officers had an opportunity to serve foreign communities, see the world and bring revenue to the service and to individuals. Health and safety were major concerns for them as well.