Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Systemic Sexual Misconduct: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive examination of the systemic nature of sexual misconduct within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a national law enforcement agency with a long history of service and public trust. Through a multi-method approach that includes legal case analyses, testimonies in reports and media accounts, and a critical review of relevant policies, this research investigates how the RCMP's institutional culture has perpetuated a toxic environment for women officers. Central to this study is the exploration of the role of hypermasculine ideals, which have shaped the organization's practices, creating a culture that tolerates and even enables sexual harassment and misconduct. The analysis highlights persistent patterns of institutional silence, retaliation against those who speak out, and the marginalization of female voices within the organization, all of which contribute to the failure to address the widespread problem of harassment Despite legal action, including multiple lawsuits and class-action cases, as well as public scrutiny, the study finds that significant cultural and structural barriers remain entrenched in the RCMP. These barriers continue to impede meaningful progress toward achieving gender equity and a safe working environment for all officers. While policy changes have been implemented in response to public outcry, they have proven insufficient in dismantling the entrenched power dynamics that protect perpetrators and silence victims. The research also examines the role of organizational leadership, identifying the ways in which insufficient accountability and lack of independent oversight contribute to the persistence of harassment within the RCMP. Drawing from feminist criminology, intersectional theory, and institutional power frameworks, this dissertation offers a critical perspective on the complexities of gendered violence in law enforcement. The study underscores the need for comprehensive institutional reform, including the establishment of stronger accountability mechanisms, independent oversight bodies, and better support systems for victims of harassment. By contributing to ongoing discussions about workplace harassment and law enforcement reform, this research provides both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for addressing the pervasive culture of sexual misconduct within the RCMP and similar law enforcement agencies across Canada.