RCMP Members have been a cornerstone of safety, trust, and service in Newfoundland and Labrador, keeping local communities safe since 1949.
For years, funding for NL RCMP resources has not kept pace with population grown or funding for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. With surging RCMP recruitment and to address evolving crime, the Province must commit to equal funding and reaffirm their support for our RCMP Members.
Add Your Voice:
Our members’ Commitment is Unwavering. Their Presence is Essential.
Approximately 480 dedicated RCMP Members live and work in more than 650 communities across the province, ensuring public safety for over 55% of residents and 80% of the province’s landmass.
Whether responding to major crime, supporting mental health calls, or mentoring youth, RCMP Members are an integral part of the communities they serve; volunteering, coaching, and building trust every day.
A Smart Path Forward
To keep up with the changing nature of crime, communities need innovative solutions that provide support, resources, and funding to the RCMP and all social services so they can continue to adapt and meet the needs of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Thanks to new “pre-posting agreements”, RCMP applicants from Newfoundland and Labrador can return home after graduating from Depot, the RCMP Training Academy. This initiative has already resulted in more Newfoundlanders serving their communities as RCMP Members, enhancing stability and connection in local detachments.
With successful recruitment initiatives and enhanced agreements, the RCMP is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for policing services in the province. In fact, according to an August 2024 Pollara Survey 76% of NL respondents said they are confident that the RCMP can meet provincial policing resource needs. At the same time, 79% of residents in RCMP-served areas are satisfied with RCMP policing services.
Comparing Investment Between the RCMP and RNC
Despite surging recruitment and high public support, the provincial RCMP budgets have grown slower than the RNC’s, 15% vs. 22% over the last three fiscal years, despite RCMP Members covering larger, more complex jurisdictions with higher crime severity. In addition:
- Calls for service to the NL RCMP (2019-2023), which primarily polices rural/remote regions, increased by 12%, while RNC calls, serving mainly urban areas, increased by 8%.
- Mental health calls to the RCMP rose by 70% during the same period.
It’s time to ensure fair, sustained investment – for RCMP Members and the people in the communities they serve.
Raising Your Voice for Public Safety Ahead of the NL Election
The Federal Government has clearly stated that the RCMP will continue to provide contract provincial policing services with any province that wants it. Given this federal commitment to the RCMP, recent recruitment successes, and the unique scope of the RCMP, it is time that the NL provincial government made the same commitment to the NL RCMP to bolster public safety.
We call on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to:
- Reaffirm support for the RCMP as a vital policing partner.
- Reject further RNC expansion into RCMP jurisdictions without public consultation or evidence.
- Invest equitably in RCMP services to reflect the scale and complexity of their work.
- Work with the federal government to strengthen the RCMP now and into the future.
Show Your Support
Your voice matters. Send a letter to your elected officials today. Let them know you support a strong RCMP presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Support their RCMP Members
The latest public opinion polling from Pollara Strategic Insights (August 2024) shows that NL residents are satisfied with RCMP policing services.
- 79% of residents in RCMP-served areas are satisfied with RCMP policing services.
- 73% say the RCMP is visible in their community.
Residents also ranked which public safety topics were most important to them.
Highest
Lowest
The Value of the RCMP Model
Newfoundland and Labrador residents benefit from cost-sharing within the Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA), the contract between the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada. Under this agreement, the federal government pays 30% of all RCMP policing costs, saving the Province roughly $32 million annually. These savings can then be invested in the Province’s hospitals, schools, roads, and other critical needs.
In addition, the RCMP provides specialized policing services, which also assist the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC). These highly trained specialized policing services include:
- Major Crime Units
Investigating serious offenses like homicides and high-profile cases.
- Emergency Response Teams (ERT)
Highly trained units deployed for high-risk situations.
- Forensic Identification Services (FIS)
Offering investigative support and scientific analysis of evidence.
The RCMP’s integrated, national model brings unparalleled resources, experience, and flexibility to the province, allowing the NL RCMP to draw on Members, equipment and services from across Canada.