WINNIPEG — The RCMP are on the hunt for new female recruits to join the force.
Manitoba’s D Division held a recruitment lunch Thursday for prospective candidates to meet with officers and learn about the possibility of a career as a Mountie.
Currently female officers only make up 20 per cent of the force.
“The RCMP would like to bring that up to 50 per cent in the next 15 to 20 years,” said Cpl. Marc Sylvester. “Our goal right now is to get to 30 per cent in the next five.”
The event was part of ongoing efforts to recruit more women after several years of complaints of sexual harassment.
Last month, a class-action lawsuit alleging harassment within the ranks was filed in B.C. Supreme Court.
The action now includes 282 women from all territories and provinces across Canada, with the exception of P.E.I.
The largest provincial contingent of women who joined, 121, are from B.C.
There are six female officers from Manitoba involved in the lawsuit, including Manitoba’s first female aboriginal RCMP officer.
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