RCMP says it’s ready to deploy reservists to replace unvaccinated Mounties on leave

by Catharine Tunney · CBC News

The deadline for public servants to declare their vaccination status is today

The RCMP says it’s ready to turn to reservists if it has to put serving Mounties who refuse to get vaccinated on leave due to the federal government’s mandatory vaccination policy.

Today is the deadline for most public servants — including members of the RCMP — to confirm that they are fully vaccinated. Those who refuse to disclose their status or are not fully vaccinated will be placed on administrative leave without pay as soon as Nov. 15.

“If a regular member is unwilling to be vaccinated and is placed on leave, the RCMP will take steps to ensure Canadians’ safety is not impacted by deploying vaccinated regular members and reservists as required,” said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Caroline Duval earlier this week.

The RCMP reserve program hires retired or former police officers to fill temporary vacancies for members who are on leave, to cover special events and to help out regular members during emergencies.

The force won’t say yet how many members have declared their status, or how many have indicated they won’t get vaccinated.

“As the attestation process is ongoing, this information will be available at a later date,” said Duval.

The rate of vaccination among RCMP members could have a serious impact on communities across the country. Outside of its federal duties, the RCMP has policing contracts with eight provinces, the three territories and 150 municipalities.

full story at https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-reservists-vaccinations-mandate-1.6227043

Categorised in: Canadian News