Brenda Lucki resigning as RCMP commissioner, says she will retire – National | 24CA News

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki stated Wednesday she is stepping down as the pinnacle of Canada’s nationwide police power.

Lucki will exit the highest job on March 17, she stated in an announcement. She was appointed in 2018 and was the primary lady to completely maintain the function.

She has confronted intense criticism lately for the RCMP’s dealing with of a number of crises, together with the mass capturing in Nova Scotia and the response to the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa and at border crossings throughout the nation.

Multiple sources informed Global News the federal government was not planning to increase Lucki’s mandate.

“Today I announced that I have made a personal decision to retire. This was not an easy decision as I love the RCMP and have loved being the 24th Commissioner,” Lucki stated in her assertion.

“As Commissioner, I was asked to modernize and address the RCMP’s internal challenges. This was a significant mandate and with the support of my senior executive team and the commitment of all RCMP employees, we’ve accomplished a lot.”

She added that she leaves the put up “knowing I did my best and take comfort that the RCMP is well placed to shine in its 150th year.”

Lucki has been accused by some prime RCMP officers of political interference for allegedly pressuring employees to launch details about the Nova Scotia shooter’s firearms on the behest of the federal authorities, which introduced gun management laws days later. The commissioner has denied she was appearing at Ottawa’s behest.

During the general public inquiry into the federal government’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act in response to final yr’s protests, proof was introduced that confirmed Lucki informed a authorities official she believed metropolis police had not but exhausted “all available tools” to finish the occupation.

That electronic mail was despatched hours earlier than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the emergency powers that Lucki later defended as useful to police in clearing the blockades.

Last November, Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro referred to as on the federal authorities to fireside Lucki over these and different points that he stated had damaged the general public’s belief within the RCMP.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who oversees the RCMP, and Trudeau have publicly expressed confidence in Lucki remaining on as commissioner.

“I want to thank Commissioner Lucki for her years of service to the RCMP,” Mendicino stated in a tweet, including he appreciated her “partnership and dedication.”

—With recordsdata from Mercedes Stephenson

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