RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki has announced her retirement and will┬аstep down from the top job next month.
In a statement, Lucki said she had made a “personal decision” to leave the post.
“This was not an easy decision as I love the RCMP and have loved being the 24th┬аcommissioner.┬аI am so incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to lead this historic organization and witness first hand the tremendous work being done each and every day by all employees from coast to coast to coast and internationally,” she said.
Lucki, who was sworn in on April 16, 2018, said the national force has made “some great progress” in meeting the expectations of Canadians, communities and policing partners.
Her last day in the job will be March 17.
It has been been a challenging year for the outgoing commissioner, who has been pursued by┬аallegations of political interference and┬аmixed reviews of her performances in front of public┬аinquiries and commissions.
She ended 2022 facing calls for her resignation from multiple sources тАФ┬аincluding the Opposition Conservatives and┬аa provincial justice minister.
Lucki’s response to the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act in response to convoy┬аprotests has┬аcome under attack тАФ┬аand was cited by Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro as a reason to fire her.
“She failed to inform the federal cabinet of all law enforcement options available prior to the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act,” Shandro said in a November statement.
Lucki’s┬аannouncement comes just days ahead of the anticipated release of a report from Justice Paul Rouleau┬аon the commission of inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act.
Lucki┬аinsisted she has “accomplished a lot” with the senior executive team and RCMP┬аemployees, including modernizing the force and addressing internal challenges.
“I’m so proud of the steps we’ve taken to modernize тАУ to increase accountability, address systemic racism, ensure a safe and equitable workplace and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,” she said in the statement.
“I leave knowing I did my best and take comfort that the RCMP is well placed to shine in its 150th┬аyear.”
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino┬аthanked Lucki for her years of service.
“From training new recruits at depot to becoming the Mounties’ first woman commissioner, she has dedicated her life to keeping Canadians safe,” he tweeted. “Commissioner Lucki has led the force for nearly five years, navigating through the pandemic and beyond. I want to thank her for her partnership and dedication.”
Mendicino said the government will now begin the process of appointing the next commissioner.
Conservative MP Glen Motz┬аsaid he attended courses with Lucki during his policing days.
“I think she … was well-intended and unfortunately became probably overly yanked around by Public Safety, by the minister and by this government.┬аAnd that’s unfortunate,” he said.┬а“You know, I wish her well in retirement and I thank her for her service.”
NDP public safety critic Peter Julian wished Lucki a happy retirement┬аbut said issues of systemic racism and a lack of accountability┬аwere not adequately addressed during her tenure.
“We’re certainly hoping that the federal government takes care to ensure that the next commissioner deals with these issues and that the RCMP finally starts finding solutions to these problems,” he said.
Lucki faced some criticism in 2020 when she told certain media outlets she was “struggling” to define the term when asked if there was systemic racism in the RCMP. She later said she believes systemic racism exists in the force.
When Lucki was appointed in 2018,┬аshe vowed to rid┬аthe force of a toxic workplace culture, but she warned that it would take some time. At the time, she said an unhealthy culture has been deeply ingrained in the┬аRCMP┬аover decades and changing attitudes for the better will require patience.
She took the helm┬аafter her predecessor Bob Paulson delivered a historic apology to female officers and civilian members as part of a settlement in two class-action lawsuits for harassment and sexual abuse.
In her statement, Lucki┬аcites a website outlining the key areas where the RCMP is focusing its efforts to change and modernize:
- Ensuring a safe, equitable workplace to prevent workplace harassment and discrimination.
- Addressing systemic racism that affects employees and diverse communities served by the RCMP.
- Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by building trust and respect and acknowledging past harms.
- Supporting modern policing with evolving tools, techniques and technology.
- Improving accountability, transparency and conduct of employees; ensuring consequences are “meaningful and rehabilitative.”
