Today, Brenda Lucki retired as the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), marking the end of her historic tenure as the first woman to hold the top job in Canada’s national police force. Her departure comes at a critical moment for the RCMP, which is facing mounting criticism over its handling of issues ranging from Indigenous land disputes to sexual harassment allegations.
Lucki’s rise to the top of the RCMP is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the job. She joined the RCMP in 1986 and spent much of her career as an undercover drug enforcement officer before rising through the ranks to become the head of the national force in 2018.
During her time as Commissioner, Lucki faced numerous challenges and controversies. One of the most pressing issues was the RCMP’s treatment of Indigenous communities, which has been a longstanding concern for many Canadians. In 2020, the RCMP faced intense scrutiny over its handling of the protests against the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline on Wet’suwet’en territory in British Columbia. Many Indigenous leaders and activists accused the RCMP of using excessive force and violating their rights.
Despite these challenges, Lucki remained committed to reforming the RCMP and improving its relationship with Indigenous communities. She implemented several initiatives to address Indigenous Canadians’ concerns, including a cultural awareness training program for all RCMP officers and a new Indigenous recruitment strategy.
While Lucki’s tenure as Commissioner was marked by progress on some fronts, there is no denying that the RCMP still has a long way to go to rebuild trust with Indigenous communities and address the systemic issues that have plagued the force for decades. Many Canadians are calling for an Indigenous Commissioner to be appointed to lead the RCMP, arguing that this would be a meaningful step towards reconciliation.
However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has insisted that the next Commissioner will be appointed based on merit rather than ethnicity or gender. This has sparked criticism from some Indigenous leaders, who argue that an Indigenous Commissioner is the only way to address the systemic issues within the RCMP truly.
Regardless of who is ultimately selected to replace Lucki, they will inherit a formidable task. The next Commissioner will need to work tirelessly to rebuild trust with Indigenous communities, address allegations of sexual harassment within the force, and ensure that the RCMP is equipped to handle the complex challenges of modern policing.
Following Commissioner Lucki’s retirement, the Federal Government has named Michael Duheme interim RCMP commissioner. As the search for her replacement continues, it is clear that the next Commissioner will have big shoes to fill and many pressing issues to address.
About The Author
