RCMP Management Action Plan in Response to the Performance Audit of Support for Combatting Transnational Crime

About the Report

The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) established priorities for Serious and Organized Crime align with its international programming, and whether the necessary systems and practices are in place to address our international requirements.

A total of four recommendations were made, two of which were directed to the RCMP, one to the RCMP and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), and one to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Recommendation (paragraph 23):

The RCMP should assess the performance of its Liaison Officer (LO) program to ensure that it gets the best use of its limited resources.

Management Response in OAG Audit Report:

Agreed. The RCMP is focusing its International Program to further advance criminal investigations impacting Canada. A comprehensive Performance Management Framework (PMF) is currently being developed to better guide senior management on program requirements, operational priorities, risks, and financial constraints. This Framework will include performance measures designed to ensure that the liaison officer program is using its limited resources in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Full implementation for the PMF is anticipated by the end of fiscal year 2015–16. Following the full implementation of the PMF, a performance assessment of the International Program will be conducted by the RCMP to ensure the program achieves expected outcomes and demonstrates efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Management Action Plan

Completion

Dates

1. The RCMP will finalize a comprehensive PMF for the LO Program to guide the ongoing development and implementation of the Program and to ensure continued linkages of the Program with organizational priorities, strategic outcomes, and expected results.

2. The RCMP will implement the PMF and begin collecting data based on performance indicators.

3. Following full implementation of the PMF and the opportunity to collect consistent performance data over a 2-year period, the RCMP will undertake a formal assessment of the ongoing relevancy, success and cost-effectiveness of LO Program with support from DFATD.

In progress

2016

Anticipated

completion:

March 31, 2018

Recommendation (paragraph 38): The RCMP should assess the costs, potential opportunities and challenges associated with greater participation in Europol.

Management Response in OAG Audit Report:

Agreed. The RCMP, in consultation with Canadian and international law enforcement, has initiated a formal assessment to better determine the costs, potential opportunities and challenges that may result from greater participation in Europol, beyond that of the LO recently deployed. The assessment is anticipated to be complete by Spring 2015.

Management Action Plan

Completion

Dates

1) The RCMP, in consultation with Canadian and International law enforcement, has initiated a formal assessment to determine the costs, potential opportunities and challenges associated with greater participation in Europol.

2) Based on this assessment, the RCMP will consider recommendations.

3) Further to approval by senior management, the RCMP will implement relevant recommendations, regarding its engagement with Europol.

In progress

Fall 2015

2016

Recommendation (paragraph 56):

The RCMP and DFATD should work together to identify information on the release of Canadians arrested, charged, convicted abroad or released from prison abroad that can legally be shared and put in place processes to share this information with the RCMP.

Management Response in OAG Audit Report:

Agreed. The RCMP is fully committed to working with DFATD and other federal agencies and departments, to review information sharing practices and policies, and establish a process for DFATD to share information legally with the RCMP on Canadians who are charged, arrested, convicted, or released from prison abroad.

Management Action Plan

Completion

Dates

1) The RCMP will actively support DOJ, DFATD and Public Safety Canada in the implementation of the working group to review current DFATD information sharing policy and practices on Canadians detained, charged, arrested and convicted abroad.

2) The RCMP is working with DFATD to facilitate information sharing practices and policies, within the parameters of the law, on Canadians detained, charged, arrested and convicted abroad for the safety and protection of the Canadian public

In progress