Police missions to Haiti, Mali, Ukraine, Iraq and the Middle East get special operation status: other missions receive status retroactively

OTTAWA, Nov. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is committed to taking care of deployed Canadian police officers. Today, Commissioner Brenda Lucki announced that the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, has designated 10 police peace and stabilization missions as Special Duty Operations (SDO).

Special Duty Operations status gives these Canadian police peacekeeping missions status comparable to military peace and stabilization missions, meaning police who have served on these missions may now be eligible for certain benefits, including appropriate health coverage.

When Canadian police officers began deploying to operations where the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) were not, the policy excluded them from benefits and coverage. With the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness designating missions as SDO, Canadian police officers can now have comparable status and benefits as CAF members while serving abroad.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada has provided instrumental support to restore peace and security in areas devastated by conflict. Canadian police officers help rebuild or strengthen police services in countries experiencing conflict or upheaval. Police participation is Canada's commitment to building a more secure world while supporting our own police officers."

-          The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"Canadian police are deployed to some of the world's most challenging places in the service of peace. They make significant sacrifices to serve overseas, living in danger and facing hardships while spending time apart from their loved ones. By designating these missions as Special Duty Operations, Canada is demonstrating the value and benefit of our police officers abroad, recognizing their service and sacrifice, and ensuring they are appropriately taken care of both during and after this tremendous service."

-          Brenda Lucki, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Quick Facts

Since 1989, approximately 4,000 Canadian police officers participated in over 66 operations abroad. Canada deploys Canadian police officers to peace and stabilization operations through the International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations Program, which is managed by the Canadian Police Arrangement, a partnership between the RCMP, Public Safety Canada and Global Affairs Canada. These officers have established a reputation for excellence in international policing through their expertise, leadership, professionalism and dedication.

SDO means a designated operation where Canada deploys members abroad in peacekeeping operations required because of war, civil conflict or breakdown of law and order. Having a mission designated as SDO enables access to the appropriate allowances, benefits and health coverage for the serving police officers.

Below is a table identifying the ten missions that have obtained SDO designation:

Operation	Location	Start Date	End Date
Clearbrooke	Cambodia	January 15, 2015	May 15, 2017
Iris	Iraq	September 14, 2016	Ongoing
Collaborate	Colombia	February 25, 2017	Ongoing
Plain Sight	Philippines	October 13, 2016	May 19, 2017
Pioneer	Palestine, EU POL COPPS	January 1, 2006	Ongoing
Upland	Ukraine	March 2, 2015	Ongoing
Kantanna	Kyrgyzstan	April 4, 2007	March 31, 2013
Gauntlet	Guatemala	April 4, 2011	April 4, 2012
Horae	Haiti	June 1, 2004	Ongoing
Moerae	Mali	March 23, 2018	Ongoing

Associated links

Peace Operations – Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Peace and Stabilization Operations Program

International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations

News Release

SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Media Relations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 613-843-5999, [email protected]