RNC chief responds to critical external report, saying changes are coming

Chief Pat Roche says the he will "move forward" with a series of recommendations in a largely unflattering report that reviewed the workplace culture at the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

The workplace review. by Toronto lawyer Harriet Lewis and released by Justice Minister John Hogan on Friday, found that the force is providing the province with effectivepolicing.

However, it contained nine recommendations aimed at improving morale at the RNC following years of negative headlines and a series of scandals involving officers.

Roche responded to the report on Tuesday, inviting reporters one by one into the executive board room at RNC headquarters in St. John's. Joining Roche weredeputy chiefs Stephanie Legace and Colin McNeil, and Staff Sgt. Mike Summers, who is president of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association, the union that represents roughly 400 officers.

Roche's key response to the report is that many of the recommendations are achievable, and that some will take more time to implement. But he said his goal is to "move forward with them."

That's welcome news to Summers, who credited Roche for a turnaround in morale at the RNC since Roche assumed the chief's role a year ago.

"He's had an open-door policy with me. As a matter of fact we meet regularly, if not once a week, and have very frank and open conversations," said Summers.

Summers acknowledged his members were at a low point in recent years, culminating in an overwhelming vote of non-confidence in former chief Joe Bolandtwo years ago.

But Summer said, "I do believe that morale has certainly come around and is on the [uptick]."

• Non-confidence vote engineered by noisy malcontents, RNC chief says

Some of the recommendations put forth by Lewis were already being implementedprior to the report's release, Summers added, and he looks forward to more discussions with the chief and the justice minister.

WATCH | RNC Chief Pat Roche responds to a report that highlighted morale problems across the force:

RNC chief Pat Roche says force will learn from its mistakes

2 years ago

Duration 5:47

CBC reporter Terry Roberts interviews the chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary about a report that found morale problems across the force

He said many of the issues affecting morale are now found outside police headquarters, including matters relating to personnel and equipment shortages that make it challenging for officers to perform their duties.

"A lot of the issues we have been bringing forward to the government are contained in these recommendations," said Summers.

One of the recommendations is that a full review of operations be undertaken to ensure resources are being deployed in the best manner, and Roche said that will happen.

"We have to look around our organization to see where we can be more efficient," he said.

"That's not an easy task but we have to do a complete look-over of this organization to see where we are, and where can we put these."

Lewis's investigation found there is an issue with morale at the RNC, both among uniformed officers and civilian employees.

Roche, who became interim chief a year ago and officially stepped into the role in February,said he's working with the RNCA to improve their position with the membership.

Lewis's investigation revealed there is a suspicion of favouritism, and fear of discipline and reprisal is widespread among officers.

Roche said he attempts to "treat everybody the same" when it comes to discipline, and the promotional process is entrenched in the collective agreement.

"It's incumbent on everybody to be prepared to come into these interviews and these promotional processes," Roche said about a promotions process that Lewis said "pits members of the force against each other."

"Itis a competition, but everyone is treated the same and fairly," he said.

Officers should feel valued, chief says

The report also found that civilian employees at the RNC feel disrespected, undervalued and underpaid.

Roche said civilian employees are the "backbone" of the RNCand he plans to address those concerns.

"They've identified it as a problem. Therefore we have to address it with the membership and with the civilians to see where our shortcomings are, and how we move forward with this," said Roche.

Lewis's recommendations are targeted largely at improving human resources protocols at the RNCand includea request to review organizational charts, the job competition process and the performance management system.

Lewis also recommends an investment in technology to support policing and administrative functions.

The final report recommends that a "trusted place" be established where RNC employees can bring concerns about misconduct. Roche said that will happen.

"It's a concern of mine that officers feel that way; that they feel they cannot come forward without reprisal," said Roche.

He said said he's working hard to let RNC employees know they are valued and appreciated, and that they can speak candidly with him.

"I want to hear from them as to how they want this organization to look, and work with them so we are a reflection of the members that we have here."

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