New Brunswick RCMP have accepted all of the recommendations from an independent review of the fatal shootings in Moncton last year.
Retired Assistant Commissioner Alphonse MacNeil was appointed to head the review and his team came up with 64 recommendations covering everything from training, technology, and communications as well as aftercare.
MacNeil says the outdated analog radio system the RCMP uses means anyone can listen in which means officers try to obscure the meaning of their words which leads to confusion.
“By guarding their conversation and by not being able to communicate in the free method the way they wanted to,” says MacNeil. “They weren’t actually able to alert the other officers to how dangerous the situation may have been for them.”
MacNeil says the analog radio system the RCMP uses should be replaced with a digital system that is encrypted to prevent unauthorized people from listening in.
MacNeil adds officers should be trained with a range of equipment so they are prepared for any incident.
“And this includes supplying them with the equipment they need in sufficient quantities to reinforce that members bring the right weaponry to the calls,” says MacNeil. “And to wear and to have the protective equipment that they need.”
MacNeil adds one of the most widely discussed topics with his team was the subject of weapon availability.
“Carbines were not available to the officers in Moncton on the night of June 4th,” says MacNeil. “I also found that only one officer responding to the call was carrying a shotgun. Shotguns were available, and detachment rifles were not originally deployed.”
RCMP Commanding Officer for New Brunswick Roger Brown says many of the recommendations are already underway, while others await further analysis and consultation before being implemented.
Brown adds it’s not just a case of snapping your fingers and having everything immediately in place, he says not only is funding an issue for things like new radio systems, protective gear and weapons but the training and instruction necessary in all the new equipment takes up a lot of time.
Brown says the RCMP have taken all the recommendations to heart and will begin implementing them as soon as is feasible with a plan to assess their progress one year from now.
Everyone who spoke at the news conference emphasized the fallen officers were true heroes, and died doing what they loved – that is protecting and serving their community.
Brown said Fabrice, Dave and Doug and their example of bravery will never be forgotten.
