RCMP Members Face Discipline Over Involvement in Freedom Convoy Protests

September 12, 2024 TruthUSA

Disciplinary action was taken against active duty members of the RCMP who participated in the anti-COVID restrictions protests of winter 2022, as confirmed by the federal police force.

Sgt. Kim Chamberland, spokesperson for the RMCP, informed The Epoch Times that specific details regarding the number of members involved or the type of sanctions they received cannot be disclosed, as breaches to the RCMP’s Code of Conduct are not tied to specific events in time.

The involvement of active RCMP members in the Freedom Convoy and related protests in 2022 was initially reported by Blacklock’s Reporter in late August, referencing a briefing document for former RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki.

The document prepared by the RCMP before Lucki’s appearance before a parliamentary committee in April 2022 stated, “The RCMP is aware that past and former members participated in, or potentially supported the protests in some manner.”

When asked to clarify if “past and former” should be replaced with “current and former,” Sgt. Chamberland responded that the RCMP is aware of members who violated the Code of Conduct by participating in the protests and faced disciplinary actions.

“Allegations and measures are dependent on the case and are not automatic,” she stated, emphasizing that each case is evaluated based on its unique circumstances, including aggravating and mitigating factors as well as other legal obligations.

The National Police Federation, the RCMP union, chose not to comment on the issue.

Nationwide protests erupted in the winter of 2022 opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic-related limitations. In January, hundreds of trucks gathered in Ottawa while demonstrators blocked border crossings in other parts of the country.

In response, the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14, leading to the clearance of the Ottawa protest by police a few days later.

The Public Order Emergency Commission, tasked with investigating the act’s invocation, concluded its work in February 2023. Commissioner Paul Rouleau, in his decision, reluctantly stated that the “very high threshold for invocation” had been met.

The commission’s decision contrasted with a federal court judge’s ruling in January, which deemed the invocation of the Emergencies Act as unjustified and beyond lawful authority. The federal government has since filed an appeal.

Some police officers in various jurisdictions, including Ottawa, showed sympathy towards the countrywide protest movement against COVID-19 restrictions.

According to an official document obtained by CBC News through the access-to-information system, the RCMP expressed concerns that sympathetic individuals could potentially leak operational plans to protesters.

The document reportedly states, “Those who have not lost their jobs but are sympathetic to the movement and their former colleagues may be in a position to share law enforcement or military information to the convoy protests.”

Notably, former RCMP officer Daniel Bulford was involved with the Convoy organizers, alongside some former Canadian Armed Forces members.

Police officers from different agencies across the country faced disciplinary actions for sympathizing with protesters against COVID-19 restrictions. Constables from Ottawa and Windsor police services had to work without pay for donating around $50 to the Freedom Convoy.

A Durham police officer was demoted for three months for expressing support for the Convoy while in uniform. Two Edmonton police officers who attended the protest at Coutts, Alta., were relieved of duty, with one returning to duty after completing a reintegration program.

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