NEWS RELEASE

CPC Issues Final Report on Kingsclear Investigation

OTTAWA, October 10, 2007 - Paul E. Kennedy, Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC), today released the final report on his public interest investigation into complaints received relating to RCMP investigations of alleged sexual abuse at the Kingsclear Youth Training Centre in New Brunswick.

This public interest investigation, announced in May 2004, examined allegations that the RCMP had not properly investigated alleged criminal conduct by RCMP Staff Sergeant Clifford McCann, and Kingsclear staff and residents. The investigation also considered allegations that members of the RCMP engaged in activities designed to cover up this alleged criminal conduct.

Key Findings 

• The CPC found no substantiated evidence that RCMP members attempted to cover up alleged criminal activities by retired Staff Sergeant McCann.
• The CPC did find inadequacies in the RCMP's criminal investigations, some serious enough to create a perception of a cover-up.
• The CPC was able to obtain and validate information during its investigation to answer many of the public's questions and concerns.

Recommendations

The CPC recommends that the RCMP:

• Put in place appropriate accountability at senior levels to continually monitor the progress of major investigations.
• Provide adequate resources to "J" division for large-scale and sensitive investigations.
• Maintain a close and professional relationship with the Crown's office, according to existing policy, while preserving the independence of the police.
• Examine, amend and enforce all policies related to note taking, documenting and report writing.
• In the case of criminal investigations into an RCMP member, the RCMP should task another police force or, at least, an outside RCMP team, to investigate allegations against its members to limit perceptions of bias, especially for the affected community.
• Improve its communications policy and approach to better demonstrate its transparency and accountability to the public.

An executive summary and the full report can be found on the CPC website at: www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca/Kingsclear

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP is an independent federal agency established in 1988 to review public complaints about the conduct of RCMP members in a fair and impartial manner. Its aim is to ensure public trust in policing through accountability.

Media Contacts:
Nelson Kalil
Manager, Communications
613-952-2452
www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca

James Lévêque
Media Relations
613-797-5706
www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca