Modern Misconduct

 RCMP: A Century of Control and Controversy — Part 5: Modern Misconduct

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Fast-forward to today, and many Canadians are left asking: Has anything really changed?

High-profile cases over the past decades reveal a troubling reality. From the Taser death of Robert Dziekański at Vancouver Airport to the Wet’suwet’en blockades, the RCMP has repeatedly demonstrated a pattern of excessive force, bias, and systemic failures. Indigenous communities continue to face over-policing, intimidation, and disproportionate incarceration rates.

The Cullen Commission highlighted widespread corruption and negligence in Vancouver’s housing and policing systems. Yet, despite evidence of wrongdoing, few officers faced consequences, and systemic issues largely went unaddressed. This is a familiar pattern: scandals surface, inquiries are held, but reforms are limited, and public trust erodes.

Meanwhile, public spectacles continue. Officers in luxury vehicles, ceremonial parades, and the carefully curated social media images project authority and civility, masking the deeper issues within the force. This duality — public image vs. private misconduct — is part of why Canadians often feel frustrated, unsafe, or powerless.

It’s not just a matter of individual bad actors. Modern misconduct reflects a culture of impunity, where accountability mechanisms are weak, and the same structures that were designed to protect now often protect the force itself. The RCMP’s history — from colonial control to Cold War surveillance — flows directly into these modern failures.

The question we must ask ourselves is uncomfortable but necessary: If the system is built to protect some and control others, what does true justice look like?

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Reflection Questions

1. What patterns of misconduct continue in the RCMP today?
2. How does systemic racism influence policing outcomes for Indigenous and marginalized communities?
3. Why do inquiries like the Cullen Commission often fail to bring meaningful reform?

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Mini Quiz

1. Which high-profile RCMP case involved the Taser death of a man at Vancouver Airport?
   • A) Wet’suwet’en protest
   • B) Robert Dziekański ✅
   • C) Tsilhqot’in trial
2. What does modern misconduct in the RCMP often reveal?
   • A) Weak leadership only
   • B) A culture of impunity and systemic issues ✅
   • C) That policing is always fair
3. How do public spectacles like parades and social media images affect perception?
   • A) They highlight misconduct
   • B) They mask deeper issues and create a false sense of trust ✅
   • C) They reduce systemic problems