Top Mountie violated her legal obligations by being too slow to respond to complaints, judge rules

The time it took for RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki to respond to investigations into claims of Mountie misconduct violated her obligation under the law, the Federal Court ruled today.

Critics argue the length of time the force often takes to respond to Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) findings — delays of months or even years — undermines police accountability.

“In my view, it is in the public interest to have a police oversight institution that functions properly and is unobstructed,” said Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagné in her written decision.

The Federal Court case started back in early 2014, when the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) lodged a complaint with the