WATCH: Commissioner Bob Paulson called the 16×9 report sensational and says he’s dealing with members concerns. But as Vassy Kapelos reports, Paulson admitted he hasn’t watched the story.
MPs grilled RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson on Parliament Hill today, following a 16X9 investigation into the RCMP’s equipment and training and the Moncton shooting.
Questions were raised in the 16×9 report about the RCMP’s training and preparation for an event such as the Moncton shooting, including the years-long delay in rolling out the carbine program – a semi-automatic weapon.
Asked about the investigation during a public safety committee meeting, Paulson accused 16X9 of using actors to draw a link between lack of equipment and the Moncton shooting, a link he didn’t think was fair.
WATCH: RCMP Commissioner grilled by MPs after 16×9 investigation into Moncton RCMP shooting.
READ MORE: Were Moncton RCMP officers ready for the call?
Actors appeared in the 16X9 story, reading RCMP members’ concerns verbatim, because the RCMP’s code of conduct forbids members from publicly criticizing the force.
The actors were used to protect the identities members’ who feared their jobs were on the line if they spoke out.
Paulson retracted his accusation later in the meeting, admitting he hasn’t actually watched the story – but then went on to further criticize the investigation.
WATCH: RCMP Commissioner criticizes 16×9 investigation into Moncton shooting despite not seeing the show.
“It’s not the members’ characterization of the threat they face, and the way in which the organization prepares them to face that threat – that’s a fair conversation,” Paulson said.
“What I find troubling is the characterization of the Moncton murders, the use of the Moncton murders, to represent a shortfall and make a leap in analysis that I don’t think is supported by the facts.”
Under Fire, a five-month long investigation involving a team of 16×9 journalists, looked at one of the most horrific killing sprees in Canadian history – a lone gunman, armed with a semi-automatic rifle who killed three Mounties and wounded two others.
Since its broadcast, the investigation has received an outpouring of support from RCMP members across the country.
The officers who first responded to the call were armed only with 9 mm sidearms, and a few had shotguns.
During the committee meeting Liberal MP Wayne Easter said he’s received emails from a number of RCMP members and the people who work with them since the investigation aired, and read one of the emails from a dispatcher aloud.
“Members and staff have no voices – our jobs are put on the line by speaking up and whistle-blowing and they’re thanking Global for producing the program,” Easter said.
Paulson interrupted Easter, insisting members could come forward.
“People, they couch these criticism in the blanket of repercussion, and there are no repercussions,” Paulson said. “What we are building, what I’ve built and what I insist on having is an organization where those conversations take place without repercussion.”
Easter hopes Paulson’s comments about coming forward open the door to members doing so.
“I would say to those officers if they do express them {their concerns} to Commissioner Paulson and there are repercussions, then give us a call,” Easter said.
Frontline members, however, say they are still fearful they have a safe place to voice their concerns.
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