True and Fascinating Canadian History
Honouring the RCMP's Sesquicentennial: 1873 - 2023
The Murders in Nova Scotia
April 18th and 19th, 2020
And the Role of the RCMP Uniform
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
This is a true story, and one that has weighed on me for the past two and one half years. I was affected very deeply by the tragedy in Nova Scotia as were a vast number of Canadians. I was also very disappointed in Commissioner Brenda Lucki, and several other influential senior RCMP Officers in Ottawa. Months prior to the murders in Nova Scotia, I warned the RCMP about the proliferation of authentic RCMP uniforms which they had handed out to hundreds and hundreds of volunteers across Canada. I considerated the practice a dangerous one and I related it to police officer safety. These Officers did nothing leading up to the murders. They were obstinate, and they did not listen to sage advice.
I am not a murder investigator. I am an amateur historian who studies the RCMP. My involvement in this tragic story began two months prior to the murders in Nova Scotia. It is about the difficulties which I faced and the resistance which I received from the RCMP right up to the precise time of the first murders at Portapique which took place about 9:30PM on Saturday night, April 18th, 2020. It was at that moment in time that I was engaged in a disagreeable and discouraging on-line debate over RCMP kit and clothing policy with civilian former Commissioner William J. S. Elliott. He was of no help.
Over the weekend of April 18th and 19th, 2020 twenty-two persons were shot and murdered in Nova Scotia by a killer driving a fake RCMP cruiser. He wore an authentic RCMP uniform, but he was a fake. The highly recognizable official crest of the RCMP on the shoulders of his shirt screamed out "Police." But, he wasn't a police officer! He used the legitimate identification of the RCMP as a ruse, as a trick. Criminal investigators do not know where the killer got the uniform, but the crest of the RCMP on the shoulders of his shirt allowed him to gain close proximity to his victims. It was classic police impersonation. His victims placed their trust in the authentic shirt with its RCMP shoulder flashes, and they were betrayed and deceived. His deception in the RCMP uniform was despicable -- and well deserving of hatred and contempt.
The origins of the RCMP uniform worn by the killer is a mystery to criminal investigators, but months prior to the murders, I warned senior RCMP Officers in Ottawa several times about the questionable, and wide distribution of its operational shirts bearing the RCMP crest and the words 'Police" to hundreds and hundreds of civilian/volunteers across Canada. And in spite of the murders, nothing has changed. Today, the RCMP continues to allow, and endorse, and encourage volunteers to dress up like police officers. These people are not members of the RCMP, and they are not police officers. They are solely volunteers. Their appearance in public, dressed in the RCMP uniform is deceitful, and dishonest. They confuse onlookers because they masquerade as police officers in the RCMP uniform. Months before the murders, I told Commissioner Lucki and the CSM that volunteers should not be eligible under any circumstances to wear the RCMP's operational shirt. The RCMP uniform, and the authentic operational shirt which was worn by the killer in Nova Scotia became a huge focus in the subsequent murder investigation as well as in the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC). The murder case became the biggest in Canadian history and crime.
As my involvement in the murder investigation became known, I was called to provide testimony in August, 2021 at the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) which was holding its hearings in Halifax, NS. I was interviewed by a retired Toronto Metro Police Officer and Ms Rachel Young, senior legal counsel for the MCC. I was highly critical of the RCMP for allowing the widespread distribution of RCMP kit and clothing to volunteers no matter how important they think public relations might be. The whole affair is wrong and especially very dangerous. The RCMP uniform including all the RCMP paraphernalia worn by volunteers solidifies in the minds of onlookers that these people are legitimate police officers. As it happened, the victims in Nova Scotia were deceived also. It may need repeating, these volunteers are not police officers. In my view, civilians who dress themselves in an RCMP uniform, not only do not know the danger of the act, but openly invite harm from an assailant and risk their own life. The RCMP Act & Regulations prohibit the bartering of RCMP uniforms, and the Criminal Code prohibits anyone from wearing a police uniform except a police officer.
I also offered some suggestions to the MCC, and I identified specific offenses to consider under the RCMP Act & Regulations, and the Criminal Code. S.32(3) of the RCMP Act & Regulations states, "Every member must, upon release from special duty or special assignment or upon ceasing to be a member of the Force, or as otherwise directed by the Commissioner, return to the Force all articles of clothing and kit, other than articles of clothing and kit condemned in accordance with the Force’s policy, or articles of clothing and kit purchased by the member." The Criminal Code, S. 130 (1) states," Everyone commits an offence who (a) falsely represents himself to be a peace officer or a public officer; or (b) not being a peace officer or public officer, uses a badge or article of uniform or equipment in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe that he is a peace officer or a public officer, as the case may be." Legislation recently passed in Nova Scotia also prohibits the wearing of police uniforms and paraphernalia by anyone other than a police officer.
When asked by the MCC interviewers if the distribution of RCMP kit and clothing to civilians was prudent, I answered, "No, it is never prudent, in fact, it is extremely dangerous." Volunteers who wear any part of a police officer's uniform in public, in say, Canada or anywhere, suffer from an identity crisis. That is the opinion of police experts. Copycats are confused about who they actually are. In a mirror, they think they are police officers, but they are actually impostors. Or, civilians may think that wearing the RCMP uniform is sporty. Tell that to the court, or better yet, tell that to Nova Scotians. The RCMP uniform as well as the unchallenged and widespread availability of RCMP kit and clothing open to volunteers who are not police officers is also the primary focus of this essay.
The Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) in Halifax knows my whole story from beginning to end. There are only two other persons with that knowledge; one is RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki. Before the tragedy, Commissioner Lucki and the CSM would not listen or accept the dangers and risks posed to RCMP constables on patrol which I had identified through countless emails.
I focused on the widespread and mystifying availability of authentic RCMP kit and clothing to hundreds of civilians across Canada who are not police officers. In addition, I sent the Commissioner two letters of complaint, but she did not answer either of them. To repeat, my chief concern was directly related to the thousands of pieces of official RCMP kit and clothing which had been distributed by the RCMP to hundreds and hundreds of civilians across Canada. I said that the wide distribution of RCMP kit and clothing to civilians was a very poorly thought out strategy. It was extremely dangerous, and insufficient thought was given by the RCMP to police officer safety. I was persistent because I had a dark intuition about injury or death to an RCMP constable sometime in the future. My insightful warning into the probable death someday of an RCMP constable came true.
Apparently, no one knows precisely where the killer got the RCMP uniform and it matters sweet little now. However, a few days after the rampage, then Superintendent Darren Campbell said on April 24th 2022, "I can't imagine any more horrific set of circumstances when you're trying to search for someone that looks like you, that obviously was an advantage that the suspect had on police, that he had on the public." (CBC: April 24, 2022). In spite of well known case law involving criminal impersonation of a police officer, Commissioner Lucki and the CSM were totally incredulous to the possibility of impostors or masqueraders who wear the RCMP uniform, or some parts of it, and this denial was surprisingly a fatal flaw in their mindset. I was extremely disappointed in the CSM's and the Commissioner's lack of insight into RCMP (police officer) safety, as well as the potential harm to volunteers who dress up in authentic RCMP kit and clothing..
The RCMP announced on March 10th 2021, that they had destroyed 7 tons of RCMP kit and clothing because of impersonation concerns (Frisko: 2021), however, the CO of Nova Scotia Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman was evasive and far from straight up in her response when asked if the destruction of gear also included all the kit and clothing handed out by the RCMP to several dozen volunteers in Nova Scotia. The well publicized core values of the RCMP including accountability and transparency were sadly not apparent with Assistant Commissioner Bergerman.
Prior to the murders, I told the CSM and Commissioner Lucki that it was a huge failure on their part not to tightly control the RCMP's kit and clothing inventory, and that the police uniform should be restricted and issued solely to police officers. Hundreds and hundreds of volunteers should never have been given authentic RCMP uniforms. How civilians across Canada ever gained access to RCMP Quartermaster Stores is a mystery beyond belief. It is deserving of an explanation. The CSM and the Commissioner's inability to place a high priority on police officer safety coupled with their refusal to act in a decisive way when they had the time and the opportunity weeks and weeks before the rampage was highly irresponsible. Police officer safety was not their priority.
The risk assessment which I presented to the RCMP was based on my eerie prediction of impending hurt or death, my police experiences and common sense. I also took into consideration the deceitful manner in which a killer could gain close proximity to his or her victims by wearing an authentic RCMP uniform including an operational RCMP shirt. I said that an authentic, operational RCMP shirt worn by anyone other than a police officer would cause confusion, ambiguity and police officer uncertainty with decision making. I got nowhere with the senior command of the RCMP including the other Officers whom I identified to the MCC. After the tragedy, the Commissioner asked that I keep my complaints hush-hush. She also asked for me not to complain to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC).
I did not predict the murders in Nova Scotia, but I did predict that an RCMP constable would inevitably be injured or killed because of the risky misbehaviours by the RCMP which I have described in preceeding paragraphs. That was the precise warning which I told the CSM and Commissioner Lucki and other RCMP Officers prior to the murders. I testified before the MCC that some lives might have been saved in Nova Scotia if the CSM, and Commissioner Lucki and the CO of 'H' Division, Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman had issued a timely Canada-wide caution to all RCMP constables on patrol. It only had to be one sentence from Telecoms and blasted out over the air waves, for example, "This is a warning to all cars and patrols: Be aware of the Canada-wide increase of police copycats who might be wearing authentic RCMP uniforms including operational shirts, cap badges, belts, etc. Use extreme caution when approaching and arrest!"
Leading up to the murders, these Officers never sent out a warning -- a warning which I had based on my experiences as a long serving police officer on patrol, one who had been involved in active shootings in Burnaby, BC and elsewhere, and one who had officially dressed on Canadian streets in the RCMP uniform for over 12 years. Inspector Rod MacLeod in Ottawa and Assistant Commissioner Jas Breton (a high ranking Officer and expert on the RCMP uniform) at 'Depot' in Regina, SK also read my concerns and cautions. I was completely ignored by both of them. They lack character. I essentially was told to mind my own business by retired RCMP Assistant Commissioner Graham Muir, but I had always been taught that any act that might cause harm or death to a police officer was everyone's business. I brought that message of active and immediate concern to his attention multiple times, but he waved me off, as did his intimate network at the very top of the RCMP. What good can come out of the distribution of hundreds and hundreds of official RCMP shirts to civilians on the street? Then the murders began by a treacherous killer dressed as a copycat and disguised in an authentic RCMP uniform. I predicted to senior RCMP Officers that murder was only a matter of time. Unexpectedly, I was glued to this tragedy like adhesive tape stuck to a hockey stick.
The second person who knows the whole story is Ottawa criminal defense lawyer Mr. Michael Edelson. He read my files. I was encouraged by Mr Edelson's advice. He encouraged me to publish the full story because of the significance it has to the larger murder investigation, and because of the inability of senior RCMP Officers in Ottawa to make a decision even when their constables might face an imminent danger. In my view, the nub of the story may also lead to eventual prosecutions.
This is not an easy story for me to tell, in fact parts of it are very unpleasant and disturbing. But, it is written very sincerely and in special memory of all the victims and their families in Nova Scotia. I also have in mind Constable Chad Morrison who was shot and Constable Heidi Stevenson who was killed on April 19th 2020, as well as all the dedicated members of the RCMP who serve in Nova Scotia.
After consultations with Mr. Edelson, it is my view that senior RCMP Officers in Ottawa could have done more to prevent this tragedy if their brains had been hard wired as police officers and if they had been fully engaged in that role. These Officers ignored my warnings which were directly related to police officer safety, and now the reputation of the entire RCMP may well suffer as a result of them submerging my tactical warnings under ice water. Mistakes by these Officers have been identified by the MCC, but their neglect of common sense has also resulted in additional tragedy, lifelong sadness and despair to Nova Scotians, to RCMP members in Nova Scotia, to Canadians and to the body RCMP.
I am ashamed of the senior RCMP Officers (serving and retired) in Ottawa who treated me with disdain prior to the murders. It was very hurtful to be pushed aside, and I am filled with deep sadness over the events that transpired in Nova Scotia, and especially the role that the RCMP uniform played in the murders. Matters just seem to get worse under Commissioner Lucki's tenure. Canadians who have spoken to me are disgusted with many of the senior RCMP Officers in Ottawa. In my view, these Officers did not provide credible leadership, and they failed to abide by their oath as a police officer -- obey the law, care for subordinates, save lives and protect the community. To overlook subordinates, or the good health and personal safety of their subordinates by any RCMP Officer is unforgivable.
In his evidence before the Mass Casualty Commission in Halifax, NS., RCMP Chief Superintendent Darren Campbell expressed his honest and tearful sentiments when he spoke on behalf of the RCMP on July 26th, 2022 about their neglect and omissions. Chief Superintendent Campbell said, "I apologize for failing, I'm truly sorry that we failed you, and I promise that we'll do better." (MacIvor: 2022). Chief Superintendent Campbell provides a lesson in determination for all RCMP Officers, but one is left to wonder when it comes to police officer safety if Chief Superintendent Campbell's promise to change and do better only refers to himself or if it applies to the entire RCMP Officer Corps? Canadians are waiting for observable, measurable change by the RCMP versus more and more stagnation, rust, indecisiveness and paralysis. There is a real distinction between one and the other and that is the challenge.
Ryan Farrington lost his mother Dawn Madsen and stepfather Frank Gulenchyn in the Nova Scotia mass shooting. When asked whether he forgives Chief Superintendent Campbell and the RCMP, Farrington said he does still "struggle" with that. "I forgive Mr. Campbell," he said. "As for the RCMP, I still think there needs to be work. They need to show that changes are being made in order for me to move forward, and trust the RCMP again and to forgive the entire RCMP community."(MacIvor: 2022). Ryan Farrington is too optimistic. Canadians, especially Nova Scotians are in a bad mood. Some senior RCMP Officers lack visible moral and ethical leadership, and that is just one reason for the lack of trust in the RCMP today and all too often expressed by Canadians in the media.
In November, 2022 hundreds of recommendations will rise out of the Mass Casualty Commission. The origins of the RCMP uniform and shirt worn by the killer during his rampage will likely remain forever a mystery, but the intentional proliferation by the RCMP of authentic police kit and clothing into the hands of hundreds of civilian volunteers across Canada prior to the murders will shock all Nova Scotians.
The final report by the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) is due in November 2022, and it's at that particular time that I will reveal the rest of my story.
My story will begin fifty seven days prior to the murders.
would it not be prudent to also wear firearms in the event of an unexpected attack?
1. The authentic shirt worn by the killer spelled out the words "RCMP/GRC Police" Some of the victims in Nova Scotia likely looked at the shirt and placed their trust in it, as well as the one who wore the shirt. The victims thought he was a police officer. Likewise, spectators look at citizens who wear the same RCMP shirt and rightfully assume they too are police officers. This strategy is wrong and it is dangerous.
2. Volunteers with the RCMP have other clothing options which do not spell out that they are police officers. Different, and suitable garments which clearly spell out "Volunteers" would be more appropiate, and raise the safety of volunteers to a new level.
3. The RCMP needs to rebuild its trust with Canadians and with Nova Scotians. The whole issue of volunteers wearing authentic RCMP kit and clothing is deceptive and dishonest. The RCMP can do better, and it should begin by reengineering the whole issue of volunteers dressing up to look like RCMP (police officers). It is only a matter of time before a volunteer is mistaken for a police officer.
4. The RCMP should consider the provisions of Canada's Labour Code. The RCMP has a duty to protect everyone they employ, and in any capacity. The RCMP may not have prepared itself well enough for poor publicity and probable litigation if a volunteer is hurt or killed while masquerading as a police officer.
J. J. (Joe) Healy,
Superintendent (Retired)
Burke, Virgina, USA
August 10, 2022
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