RCMP watchdog raises serious concerns about strip searches

The watchdog for the RCMPsays the force has problems with the way it justifies strip searches and needs to better train members aboutthe controversial practice.

In a report made public today, the CivilianReview and Complaints Commission (CRCC)found the rationale and documentation for strip searches "is often lacking."

It specifically calls out the detachment in Iqaluit, where members removed bras.

"The commissionfound that the RCMP's national personal search policy (including cell block searches) is unclear and inadequate," notes the report, which is dated Sept. 30 and was released Thursdaymorning.

"The RCMP's inability to evaluate and report on policy compliance has a chilling effect on public accountability, self-evaluation and independent review."

Many Mounties unaware of personal search policies

The report from the independent oversight bodyalso reveals that manyMountiesare not aware of personal search policies and thatno mandatory training exists beyond basic instruction to cadets at the RCMPdepot.

It also recommended morespecialized supervisory training on personal searches from senior personnel.

"The commission is particularly concerned with the inadequate supervision of members, lack of articulation on files, and overall lack of knowledge of what constitutes a strip search at the Iqaluit detachment. Interviews revealed that bras are routinely removed and searches are video-recorded," notes the report.

In one 2015 case, officers forcibly removed a woman's bra and left her topless in cells, said the CRCC. The woman broke herarm as she tried to resist the officers removingher undergarment and medical care was not provided within a reasonable period, according to the report.

"Women, both cisgender and transgender, taken into police custody are often from marginalized groups, survivors of gender-based violence and in Canada, they are disproportionately from Indigenous communities," it reads.

"When these already vulnerable women are forced to remove their bras, there is heightened risk that they will be further traumatized."

Top court found strip searches 'degrading'

Today's findings followup on a 2017reportthat found "significant shortcomings" in the RCMP's personal search policies, which included strip searches.

CRCCchairperson Michelaine Lahaie said the RCMP has made a number of positive changes over the past three years and now better distinguishes between personal searches and strip searches.

"In spite of the strides made by the RCMP, the CRCC found that further clarification on national policy is required," she wrote.

In a letter to Lahaie, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki agreed with most of the 2020report'sfindings.

One of the only areas she disagreed with is arecommendation that the RCMP develop specific supervisor training regarding duties and responsibilities with personal searches, which Lucki argued was already in place.

"Since the commission completed its review, there have been changes to the cadet training program specific to personal searches and further revisions are to be completed in this fiscal year," she wrotelast month.

"However, as I have written in this response, further revisions of the national policy are required to address the related recommendations in this report."

Both CRCC reviews follow a 2001 Supreme Court case that ruledthat strip searches are "inherently humiliating and degrading."