http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/11/07/bc-rcmp-harassment-galiford.html

The more I hear and read, I'm totally convinced it's time to shut this thing down and start anew. I know my Brother-in-law who's a Mountie would be wild to hear me say that - but I think the RCMP has been compromised to such an extent that it's time for a new force with a different structure.

When I attended his graduation from the RCMP Depot it really felt like a tired organization. The days of the Mad Trapper are over and I think the RCMP is too far behind the curve to ever catch up.

What do others think ? 

That's a pretty outrageous story. Something like that won't be tolerated in industry, especially for 16 years.

The RCMP has a deep and honourable reputation in Canadian history. Unfortunately, their current reputation has taken a severe beating due to instances of the above story and the fallout of the death of the Polish immigrant in Vancouver. One of the explanations out there is that they recruit more broadly from the general population than in the past and their members' behavior now more closely mirror society than previously in the past. I think that political correctness is and diversity is great but it shouldn't be done at the expense of the organization, conformance with the law, or to the detriment of its members (re-story above).

The RCMP has a proud past and a place in Canadian history and society. The present BS going on is not tolerable to the public, to its members, or to the law. The RCMP should stay but it needs some serious re-tooling, whether it be more training, more rigourous standards, or more screening of its recruits. Perhaps an end result similar to the transformation of the US Army after Vietnam that boosted its capabilities and professionalism.

Well said Ned.

When a buddy of mine went through Depot (about 6 years ago) he said that it was called "Model School" because of all the hot chicks that we cadets.  A year later, I saw the RCMP marching contingent at a Remembrance Day parade and the female constables (around 8 of them in the contingent) were petite and gorgeous.

I agree with Ned. Retooling rather than discarding the RCMP should be the answer. One day perhaps we can regain our national pride in the red serge.

The problem is not the RCMP, its the macho man culture. In her younger picture in the OP the officer is definately a beautiful woman. I would bet the senior officers chased her more to win admiration from the average junior officer than to actually have a relationship with her. What the people in charge want first is respect. If getting the pretty girl gets that then they get two birds with one shot. Bad pun.

Ive been at the Vancouver Remebrance Day ceremony (was not there yesterday) where top RCMP brass are present. I remember looking at 2 older guys and just seeing people wanting to radiate toughness. There was no sense of sorrow in remembrance , it was all internal focus ' i'm a bulldog waiting to chew somebody's head off'. Is this what they think the job is about? I know a very tough guy in law that mostly radiates justice. Its like he thinks there is a white light around him. Often he is quite a kind looking older guy. I know he could kill a very stong man in their prime in seconds with his bare hands. There is no need for this tough guy attitude.

I doubt those people can change the culture. If they were told to do something different it would not be long before they slipped back into their old ways. They need to go.

Ontario and Quebec both have provincial police forces and do not deal the RCMP. If BC decides to go that route I believe it will be time for the RCMP to go. Although I have some doubt that Canadians would allow such a historied institution disappear.

Sounds like there is a real, distinct lack of discipline and professionalism... if this doesn't bring change, no idea what will.

Originally Posted By Rekim

Ontario and Quebec both have provincial police forces and do not deal the RCMP. If BC decides to go that route I believe it will be time for the RCMP to go. Although I have some doubt that Canadians would allow such a historied institution disappear.

The RCMP are still in Ontario and Quebec for federal policing matters.  And maybe that should be the best route to all provinces to take.  Establish provincial police forces to do municipal policing (in areas where the municipality does not want to establish it's own police force) and patrol the highways.  Leave the Mounties to handle federal policing and cover the airports.  I suspect that it would cost some municipalities less money to operate it's own force, versus paying the high costs to cover Mountie salaries.