The RCMP has reversed its mask-wearing policy after it was accused of discrimination when bearded Mounties – including Sikh and Muslim officers – were reassigned to desk duty.
The policy – implemented in March – required front line officers to wear properly fitted N-95 masks. It was condemned by advocates and the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Kamloops RCMP Superintendent Syd Lecky says there was one member in the detachment affected, but he noted the mask policy was a decision made at the federal level.
“It is an issue that I have brought forward myself and what I can let you know that early on in this process I was definitely trying to advocate to get some changes made, but I’m not a health expert and we have many health experts that are making those decisions for us in trying to find protective equipment,” Lecky said on Wednesday.
“I’ll take my direction when it comes and then we’ll make our decisions once we have a well throughout plan. We’ve certainly found meaningful work for our members and all members and staff.”
In a statement Friday, the chief human resources officer for the RCMP said ‘impacted bearded members across Canada may [now] return to operational duties’ with whichever PPE is appropriate, based on a risk assessment carried out by the Commanding Officers in their respective provinces.
“I share the frustrations of our police officers across Canada who are personally affected,” the statement from Gail Johnson said. “While these dedicated and valued members have been accommodated for medical or religious reasons in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, over the last few months they have not been able to serve Canadians on the front lines as we worked to find equipment and operational solutions.
“Calls for service will be triaged from call centres, with bearded members being assigned to respond operationally only if the risk of exposure is low or multiple responding officers will be present. Each case will be assessed on an individual basis.”
Johnson adds the RCMP is continuing to work on finding longer-term solutions that fully accommodate all bearded members, noting at no time will officers or the public be put at undue risk.
Trudeau went on to say the policy was an example of systemic racism in the RCMP, noting it should never had happened.
“This is absolutely unacceptable. We asked the RCMP to review its policies to make sure that this example of systemic racism is put aside,” he said in the House of Commons this week.
