Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) is an independent agency created under the RCMP Act to ensure that public complaints made about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. The CPC is not part of the RCMP.

The CPC has jurisdiction over a complaint from a member of the public that concerns the conduct of an RCMP member while performing a policing duty or function. These duties and functions include criminal investigations, public complaint investigations, policing public events, security assignments and intelligence operations. A complaint must also involve:

• an RCMP member or other person appointed or employed under the authority of the RCMP Act
• an RCMP member or other person who, when the complaint is made, is not deceased, retired, nor resigned or been dismissed from the Force
• conduct that occurred after September 30, 1988, the date the CPC became authorized to take complaints

The CPC seeks to resolve questions about its jurisdiction to deal with a public complaint as early as possible in the complaint process. CPC reports make findings and recommendations aimed at correcting and preventing recurring policing problems. The CPC's goal is to promote excellence in policing through accountability.