Skip to Main content

17.06°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Nov 17, 2023 7:45 PM - Connect News

Federal unit of RCMP faces staff crunch, many positions vacant

Share On

federal-unit-of-rcmp-faces-staff-crunch-many-positions-vacant

At present, the wing has 507 fewer police officers than a decade ago and 500 more posts are vacant. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The RCMP's federal unit, which investigates Canada's serious crime cases, is facing staff shortages.

According to RCMP spokesperson Marie-Eve Breton, the federal policing wing is short about 1,000 positions.

At present, the wing has 507 fewer police officers than a decade ago and 500 more posts are vacant.

Breton said federal policing currently has about 5,000 employees.

The RCMP has two main policing units, one that provides local and regional law enforcement officers to the states and the other is a federal policing wing that investigates cases related to national and international crimes such as money laundering, foreign interference and drug trafficking.

The National Security Committee of Parliament has also expressed concern over the lack of staff in the RCMP's federal unit.

Lawmakers have asked Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc to direct the RCMP to address staffing issues, and if the RCMP doesn't do so, then consider a stand-alone federal policing agency.

Latest news

Two drivers killed in head-on crash in Kootenay National Park

Two drivers were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park on Wednesday evening, according to the RCMP. Police said officers responded at about 5:30 p.m. to reports of a serious crash near the Simpson Monument. Investigators determined that a westbound vehicle crossed the centre line while negotiating a curve and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. According to the RCMP, each vehicle was occupied only by its driver. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. A third vehicle was also involved in the incident, and its two occupants suffered minor injuries.

raja-warring-calls-for-punjab-cm-dgp-to-resign-after-grenade-blast-at-moga-police-station

IndiaJul 09, 2026

Raja Warring calls for Punjab CM, DGP to resign after grenade blast at Moga police station

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has called for the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav following the recent hand grenade blast at a police station in Moga. In a statement, Warring questioned the state's security arrangements, saying that if police stations themselves are not secure, it raises concerns about the safety of the public. He made the remarks while criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party government over the incident. Warring also claimed, citing what he described as a report by a U.S.-based investigat

two-men-charged-in-windsor-child-grooming-human-trafficking-investigation-police-seek-two-more-suspects

Two men charged in Windsor child grooming, human trafficking investigation

Two Windsor men are facing a combined 17 criminal charges after a Windsor Police Service investigation into the alleged grooming, sexual exploitation and human trafficking of two underage girls. Police say two additional suspects remain outstanding. According to a Windsor Police Service news release, the investigation began in April 2026 after the Human Trafficking Unit received information that a youth had been groomed and sexually exploited by an unknown suspect. Investigators allege the victim met a man using the name "Jack" on Snapchat before the relationship moved offline. Police allege t

109-people-died-from-unregulated-drugs-in-b-c-during-may-preliminary-coroner-data-shows

109 people died from unregulated drugs in B.C. during May, preliminary coroner data shows

A preliminary report from the BC Coroners Service says 109 people died from unregulated drug toxicity in British Columbia during May 2026, an average of 3.5 deaths per day. According to the BC Coroners Service, this is the lowest monthly total since February 2020, when 79 deaths were recorded. The agency noted the figures are preliminary and may change as investigations are completed. The provincial government said adults between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68 per cent of all unregulated drug deaths recorded during the first five months of 2026, while men represented 76 per cent of tho

Three charged after Surrey investigation into alleged 3D-printed firearms and drug trafficking

Three people, including one woman, have been charged following a British Columbia anti-gang investigation into the alleged manufacture of illegal firearms using a 3D printer and drug trafficking in Surrey. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the charges follow an investigation stemming from the execution of a search warrant at a Surrey residence in September 2025. Media Relations Officer Sgt. Sarbjit Kaur Sangha said investigators found a 3D printer actively producing a firearm when officers entered the home. Police said officers seized a 3

Related News

Quebec introduces testing requirement for newer Ontario truck drivers seeking licence transfers

Quebec introduces testing requirement for newer Ontario truck drivers seeking licence transfers

The Quebec government has announced temporary measures requiring some Ontario truck drivers to pass a practical road test before transferring their commercial licences to Quebec, citing concerns about driver training and road safety. Under the changes announced Thursday, Ontario Class 1 truck drivers with less than two years of driving experience who want to exchange their licence for a Quebec equivalent will now be required to pass a practical driving examination. Drivers who fail the test twice will be required to complete additional training before becoming eligible, according to the Quebec

Poilievre blames Liberal immigration and crime policies for growth of Bishnoi gang network in Canada

Poilievre blames Liberal immigration and crime policies for growth of Bishnoi gang network in Canada

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has accused the federal Liberal government of weakening Canada's immigration and criminal justice systems, alleging that those policies have allowed organized crime groups, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, to expand their presence in the country. Speaking about gang activity in Canada, Poilievre claimed that record levels of immigration combined with what he described as lenient criminal justice policies have enabled criminal organizations to strengthen their networks. His comments were made in response to ongoing concerns about transnational orga

Anand condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf shipping as 'unacceptable' during Saudi visit

Anand condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf shipping as 'unacceptable' during Saudi visit

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz are "unacceptable" and "unjustified," as tensions continue to rise across the Persian Gulf. Speaking to reporters in Jeddah on Thursday after meeting with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Anand said Canada stands with Gulf countries facing escalating regional security threats. She said that while ceasefires are often fragile, attacks on civilian shipping cannot be justified. According to Anand, the latest violence follows renewed military exchanges between the United States

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital