Organization of the RCMP

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is organized under the authority of the RCMP Act. In accordance with the Act, it is headed by the Commissioner, who, under the direction of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, has the control and management of the Force and all matters connected therewith.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police enforces throughout Canada laws made by, or under, the authority of the Canadian Parliament. Administration of justice within the provinces, including enforcement of the Criminal Code, is part of the power and duty delegated to the provincial governments. The RCMP provides police services under the terms of policing agreements to all provinces (except Ontario and Quebec), Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and under separate municipal policing agreements to 197 municipalities.

In 1996, the RCMP began moving towards a more regional management system under the direction of deputy commissioners. Four regions were developed: Pacific, Northwestern, Central and Atlantic. This change ensures there is greater grass-roots involvement in decision-making and also allows the RCMP to invest more resources into frontline services.

Under the Commissioner, operational direction is provided by Deputy Commissioners in charge of:

• Federal Services and Central Region (Ottawa)
• Operations and Integration
• National Police Services
• Corporate Management and Comptrollership
• Atlantic Region (Halifax)
• North West Region (Regina)
• Pacific Region (Vancouver)

The Force is divided into 15 Divisions, plus Headquarters, Ottawa. Each division is managed by a Commanding Officer and is alphabetically designated. Divisions roughly approximate provincial boundaries with their headquarters located in respective provincial or territorial capitals (except "A", Ottawa; "C", Montreal; and "E", Vancouver). Air and Marine Services supply support to the divisions. RCMP Depot Division (Training Academy) is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Police College is located in Ottawa, Ontario.

The on-strength establishment of the Force as of February 1, 2006

ACTUAL STRENGTH

• Commissioner 1
• Deputy Commissioners 7
• Assistant Commissioners 25
• Chief Superintendents 51
• Superintendents 149
• Inspectors 347
• Corps Sergeant Major 1
• Sergeant Major 5
• Staff Sergeant Major 5
• Staff Sergeants 780
• Sergeants 1,666
• Corporals 2,949
• Constables 10,265
• Special Constables 76
• Civilian Members 2,813
• Public Servants 4,326
• Total 23,466