Skip to Main content

7.09°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos 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

17-year-old-killed-in-dirt-bike-and-car-collision-in-nanaimo

17-Year-Old Killed in Dirt Bike and Car Collision in Nanaimo

A 17-year-old has died following a road collision in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. According to the RCMP, the crash occurred at around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 2200 block of Extension Road in the southern part of the city, involving a dirt bike and a car. First responders rushed to the scene and made extensive efforts to save the teenager’s life. However, the victim succumbed to serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Following an initial investigati

bjp-nominates-hardeep-singh-puri-for-rajya-sabha-by-election-in-madhya-pradesh

IndiaOct 28, 2026

BJP Nominates Hardeep Singh Puri for Rajya Sabha By-Election in Madhya Pradesh

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday nominated Hardeep Singh Puri as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Madhya Pradesh. Puri was first elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh in January 2018. His current term is scheduled to end on November 25, 2026. The Rajya Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh fell vacant following the resignation of former Union Minister L. Murugan. The Election Commission has announced a by-election for the seat, with November 2 set as the last date for filing nominations. The BJP's Central Election Committee has approved Puri's candidature. According

Boat Catches Fire in Vancouver’s False Creek, Two People Escape Unharmed

A boat caught fire in False Creek in Vancouver late Tuesday night. Police said they received a report of the incident at around 11:30 p.m., following which Vancouver Fire Rescue and Coast Guard crews quickly arrived at the scene to help extinguish the blaze. According to Constable Darren Wong, an initial investigation suggests the fire was caused by a technical malfunction in a generator on board the boat. Fortunately, both people aboard the vessel safely escaped the incident without sustaining any injuries. Police clarified that the incident does not appear to be suspicious or the result of a

cross-border-tobacco-smuggling-racket-busted-in-canada-four-individuals-face-serious-charges

CanadaOct 28, 2026

Cross-Border Tobacco Smuggling Racket Busted in Canada, Four Individuals Face Serious Charges

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in a joint operation with the RCMP in Saskatchewan, has uncovered a cross-border tobacco smuggling operation and laid serious criminal charges against four individuals. According to the CBSA, the group allegedly used the railway network to smuggle approximately 116,000 kilograms of illegal tobacco from the United States into Canada and between different provinces between October 2020 and April 2024. All four accused are residents of Ontario: 47-year-old Harminder Grewal of Brampton, 49-year-old Avikesh Sharma of Mississauga, 48-year-old Johnny Gamboa o

WorldOct 28, 2026

At Least 64 Killed in Spain High-Speed Train Collision

At least 64 people have been killed in a devastating collision involving two high-speed trains in Spain. Rescue workers continued searching through the wreckage on Wednesday for more bodies. The incident marks the country’s second major deadly rail accident this year. Following the crash, injured passengers and survivors were evacuated from the trains. Hundreds of ambulances, helicopters and other emergency response vehicles were deployed at the scene. According to preliminary information, a private Iryo train had stopped near Toledo after a signalling fault, reportedly on the instructions o

Related News

Cross-Border Tobacco Smuggling Racket Busted in Canada, Four Individuals Face Serious Charges

Cross-Border Tobacco Smuggling Racket Busted in Canada, Four Individuals Face Serious Charges

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in a joint operation with the RCMP in Saskatchewan, has uncovered a cross-border tobacco smuggling operation and laid serious criminal charges against four individuals. According to the CBSA, the group allegedly used the railway network to smuggle approximately 116,000 kilograms of illegal tobacco from the United States into Canada and between different provinces between October 2020 and April 2024. All four accused are residents of Ontario: 47-year-old Harminder Grewal of Brampton, 49-year-old Avikesh Sharma of Mississauga, 48-year-old Johnny Gamboa o

Canada Won’t Rush into Trade Deal with the U.S.: PM Carney

Canada Won’t Rush into Trade Deal with the U.S.: PM Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out the possibility of an imminent trade deal with the United States. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill today, Carney made it clear that Canada is not currently in a position to reach a trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Carney said Ottawa would only consider a deal if it clearly served Canada's interests, stressing that the federal government would not rush into an agreement. His remarks come just days before the U.S. midterm elections next week, following signals from Trump that a trade deal with Canada could be wi

Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms Two Canadians Injured in Spain Train Crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms Two Canadians Injured in Spain Train Crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that at least two Canadians were injured in a major train accident in Spain on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the crash. He also said the Canadian government was ready to provide any assistance Spain might need during this difficult time. The accident occurred in Spain’s central Toledo province when a high-speed train struck another stationary train from behind. More than 60 people have reportedly died in the incident. Both trains were travelling in the same direction

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital