Enhance RCMP leadership culture
As part of modernization efforts, the RCMP is adopting a program called Character Leadership (CL). CL is an evidence based, peer-reviewed leadership development model to create healthier workplaces, improved business decisions, better outcomes, and increased trust with stakeholders. CL will also help the RCMP to improve its recruitment, training and promotions processes.
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Why it matters
The RCMP understands that strength of character is important and that developing character and judgement is a critical factor for changing and improving our organizational culture. It doesn't just matter what we do, it also matters how we do it and who we are as individuals and as an organization.
Character is a blend of virtues, personality traits and values. Research studies have shown that individual character can be revealed through a defined set of behaviours, which can be observed, measured, and developed. The organization is striving to increase the level of character in individuals across the organization and character is being purposefully elevated alongside competencies and commitment.
Aug 2023
Update
The Character Leadership training in the Cadet Training Program has been expanded from one to three sessions so that, upon completion, cadets possess greater self-awareness, identify connections between character and the RCMP core values, and are able to understand how positive character benefits operational policing.
The Management Development Program now contains Character Leadership training and requires participants to work on developing their character, as well as bringing Character Leadership back to their workplace. Character Leadership has also been incorporated into the Executive Officer Development Program for new RCMP executives, as well as the RCMP's Executive Development in Policing program and the Canadian Police College.
Leadership learning resources are now available for employees at all levels through Foundations of Leadership course offerings online. Two cohorts of Character Leadership Ambassadors have been trained. These ambassadors have access to a curated library of resources, including an online, comprehensive and interactive guide called Cultivating Character.
The next steps involve incorporating Character Leadership into the Officer Candidate Process for aspiring commissioned officers and making the Cultivating Character resource guide widely available for all employees.
May 2022
Update
Enhancing RCMP leadership is critical to advancing the RCMP's modernization agenda and is a foundational support for culture change. Character leadership training is being rolled out across the RCMP at all levels.
Modern and inclusive leadership practices will provide the foundation to enable progressive work across the RCMP, including implementing the Vision150 and beyond: RCMP strategic plan, addressing external reports and recommendations on culture change, embracing the renewed RCMP core values, and implementing the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Gender-Based Analysis Plus requirements.
In January 2022, the RCMP formally established the Character Leadership Advisory Services team to support positive leadership development across the organization. As part of their work, in February 2022, Character Leadership training was integrated into the cadet training curriculum.
The RCMP is also working with Ivey Business School to create and implement a leadership development plan for the Leadership Program in partnership with Canada Border Services (CBSA) and Revenue Canada (CRA).
Jan 2022
Update
Five RCMP employees were trained by the Ivey School of Business in Character Leadership. Part of their mandate is to raise awareness of Character Leadership (CL) across the organization, to create CL content for the RCMP and to provide internal advisory services on ways the RCMP can embed CL into various policies and procedures.
The RCMP is continuing to develop and roll out more products and training to support CL and its greater implementation across the organization. A dedicated unit was established in December 2021 and a few of the upcoming pilots include a Leadership Character module in the Manager Development Program, anticipated to be launched in February 2022, and a self paced "Introduction to Character Leadership" course for employees slated to be launched in March 2022.
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