RCMP 911 operators are resigning in large numbers, citing a shortage of staff and years of “gross mismanagement,” according to union president Kathleen Hippern. In an interview, Hippern raised the alarm about the dire situation and called for immediate action.
CUPE 104, the union representing 1,100 operators at the RCMP, revealed that 40 percent of positions across the country are currently vacant. An internal survey also found that 93 percent of staff reported an increase in workload since the shortages, and 86 percent said they are considering leaving their jobs.
The shortage of RCMP 911 operators is causing significant challenges in various regions across the country. Yukon is operating at 67 percent below staffing levels, while Nova Scotia and British Columbia are almost 50 percent and 43 percent understaffed, respectively. Some call centers, which are supposed to have a minimum of 20 operators on duty, are operating with as few as five, according to Hippern.
The union has been urging for improved recruitment and retention strategies since 2022, but Hippern emphasized that immediate action is needed to prevent Canadians from being put at risk due to delays in connecting to emergency services. She noted that in some cases, even when police are nearby, they cannot respond to ongoing violent situations because of the backlog of unanswered 911 calls.
One of the contributing factors to the shortage of RCMP 911 operators could be the early retirement of older staff, as highlighted by the president of the National Police Federation. However, Hippern argued that the current salary of emergency dispatchers is not competitive enough to retain staff, as they are being lured away by jobs that offer significantly higher salaries for less workload.
Currently, emergency communication specialists are undergoing their first bargaining agreement, with the federal government reviewing salaries ranging from $51,000 to $67,000. Employees have reached out to Prime Minister Trudeau’s office, but Hippern alleged that their concerns have been ignored, including their suggestions for recruitment strategies.
The shortage of RCMP 911 operators due to alleged mismanagement is a critical issue that requires immediate attention to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of emergency services to Canadians. The union’s calls for improved recruitment, retention, and fair compensation for operators must be addressed to address the current staffing challenges faced by the RCMP.