The RCMP needs good, morally sound leaders, according to a New Brunswick based corporal.
Patrick Bouchard says for him, last week’s guilty verdict against the RCMP in relation to the June 4th, 2014 shootings did not help turn the page on the horrific events.
“For me, it widened the divide between the senior management of the RCMP and the rank and file because they took this to trial, because my gut feeling is telling me they might appeal,” says Bouchard.
He has been outspoken throughout the whole trial, and delivered a scathing indictment of senior RCMP managers.
“I’m hoping that at some point we will have ethical leadership that has a moral compass, that can lead us in the right direction, not manage us,” says Bouchard. “We don’t need to be managed, we need to be led.”
Bouchard did hold out some hope that positive change could happen.
“Is it going to happen tomorrow? Probably not but it’s possible and that’s what gives me hope, it’s possible that things will change, and I’m hoping that they will,” says Bouchard.
He blasted senior management saying historically, the RCMP cannot admit fault, even when it’s proven in court they are at fault.
