Canadians’ Views of RCMP Policing Services

Canadians' Views of RCMP Policing Services is a public opinion survey of adult residents of Canada, with a focus on areas policed by the RCMP. A representative sample of the residents of Canada was selected to participate in the survey. This year, there were 2,988 respondents (1,313 by telephone interview and 1,675 online).

Attitudes towards the RCMP
No data Agree Neutral Disagree
How important is the RCMP's contribution to keeping Canadians safe? 90% 4% 6%
How satisfied are you with the RCMP's contribution to keeping Canadians safe? 62% 14% 24%
I feel safer because of the RCMP. 57% 25% 18%
General
No data Agree Neutral Disagree
The RCMP demonstrates professionalism in its work. 65% 18% 7%
The RCMP is an organization with integrity. 58% 18% 25%
RCMP personnel are honest. 56% 26% 18%
RCMP personnel demonstrate compassion. 51% 27% 22%
The RCMP is an accountable organization. 50% 18% 32%
The RCMP treats people with respect. 50% 23% 26%
The RCMP places an emphasis on providing quality service to the public. 62% 21% 17%
The RCMP provides the same quality of service to all citizens. 39% 17% 44%
The RCMP places emphasis on providing services in the official language of my choice, English or French. 71% 24% 6%
I have trust and confidence in the RCMP. 60% 18% 23%
I would encourage friends and family members to apply to the RCMP. 50% 22% 28%
Relationship with the RCMP
No data Agree Neutral Disagree
The RCMP has effective local leaders. 44% 37% 20%
The RCMP has effective national leaders. 43% 25% 31%
The RCMP provides Canadians with adequate information about its work. 38% 23% 39%
The RCMP is an open and transparent organization. 30% 23% 47%
The RCMP is representative of the diverse Canadian communities it serves. 45% 22% 33%
RCMP personnel reflect the cultural diversity in my community. 44% 28% 28%
The RCMP is dealing with the things that matter to people in this community. 50% 27% 23%
I feel a moral duty to follow police orders. 77% 12% 11%
I generally support how the RCMP usually acts. 67% 15% 19%
I would help the RCMP if asked. 82% 12% 6%
Sensitivity
No data Agree Neutral Disagree
The RCMP is sensitive to the needs of different cultures and groups. 39% 24% 37%
The RCMP is respectful to the cultural needs of Indigenous people. 34% 21% 45%
The RCMP treats women fairly. 39% 19% 41%
The RCMP is sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ2S communities. 35% 33% 32%
Visibility and responsiveness
No data Agree Neutral Disagree
RCMP personnel have a visible presence in my community/province/territory. 51% 17% 32%
The RCMP is effective at responding quickly to calls for assistance. 54% 29% 17%
The RCMP is contributing to traffic safety in my province or territory. 53% 20% 27%
The RCMP makes decisions based on facts. 55% 27% 18%
The RCMP is a forward-looking, innovative organization. 36% 27% 36%
Priorities of the RCMP
No data Agree Neutral Disagree
The RCMP is addressing youth involvement in crime as both victims and offenders. 51% 30% 18%
The RCMP is reducing the threat and impact of organized crime. 66% 19% 15%
The RCMP is reducing the threat and impact of serious crime, such as murder, sexual assault, robbery and arson. 63% 20% 18%
The RCMP is effective at resolving crimes where violence is involved. 63% 21% 15%
The RCMP is effectively responding to threats to national security. 69% 18% 13%
The RCMP is effectively responding to radicalization to violent extremism. 57% 21% 22%
The RCMP is effectively responding to threats to Canadian passenger aircraft. 64% 29% 6%
The RCMP is contributing to safer Indigenous communities. 39% 21% 40%
The RCMP is advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples of Canada. 34% 24% 41%
The RCMP is contributing to more informed and resilient Canadians. 43% 30% 27%
The RCMP is reducing the overall impact of economic crime. 51% 26% 22%
The RCMP is effectively responding to cybercrime threats. 55% 24% 20%
The RCMP is effectively addressing online scams. 47% 24% 29%
The RCMP is reducing the production, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs. 60% 21% 19%
The RCMP is effectively responding to threats at the border between the ports of entry. 63% 20% 17%
I am aware that the RCMP participates in a variety of international activities, such as peacekeeping missions and offering training to foreign police. 68% 14% 17%
The RCMP rapidly adapts to new and emerging priorities. 44% 27% 29%
About how often would you say that the RCMP in your neighbourhood exceeds their authority? 16% 19% 66%

Note

Percentages exclude those who replied "don't know" or "no opinion".


Contact with the RCMP

In the past year, did you have any direct contact with the RCMP, such as reporting a crime, being stopped for a traffic offence or accident, seeking information or any other reason?
No data 2020-21
Yes 29%
No 70%
Don't know 1%
What was the reason for your most recent contact with the RCMP?
No data 2020-21
For a criminal matter 16%
For a traffic offence or an accident 23%
For a complaint 14%
For a natural disaster, e.g. flood, wildfire 0%
For a crime prevention activity, project, or program 8%
For another reason 39%
Don't know 1%
Still thinking of the most recent contact, did you initiate the contact with the RCMP yourself?
No data 2020-21
Yes 62%
No 37%
Don't know 1%
Views on Contact with the RCMP*
No data Agree Neutral Disagree Don't know
It was easy to get in touch with the RCMP. 85% 3% 11% 0%
RCMP personnel treated me fairly. 82% 6% 10% 0%
RCMP personnel demonstrated professionalism. 83% 4% 11% 1%
RCMP personnel were courteous and respectful. 83% 5% 10% 0%
RCMP personnel were knowledgeable and competent. 77% 9% 11% 2%
RCMP personnel delivered the service in a timely fashion. 73% 9% 12% 2%
RCMP personnel went beyond minimum requirements in providing good service. 54% 18% 23% 2%
RCMP personnel gave me all the information that I needed for the situation. 73% 8% 16% 1%
Satisfied with the service you received during your contact(s) with the RCMP. 71% 9% 13% 1%

Notes

  • Results in these tables are the overall results (combination of online panels and telephone interviews).
  • Data was collected from January 11 to February 2, 2021.
  • Questions were answered on a 5-point scale and summarized to agree/neutral/disagree to facilitate review.
  • Percentages may sometimes not add to 100 due to rounding.
  • Results are "weighted" - they are adjusted so that age, gender, and region better match the Canadian population.
  • National margin of error of +/- 1.8%, 19 times out of 20.
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