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Multiple chiefs with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) have issued a joint statement raising concerns about the removal of assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore from her role as commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Blackmore was head of “F” Division during some turbulent times for Saskatchewan First Nations, including the mass stabbing incident at James Smith Cree Nation in 2022.
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“Rhonda showed strong leadership during a time of crisis for James Smith; she, along with her team, worked hard to develop trust through her compassion and understanding of the importance of that tragedy,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council.
Blackmore made critical reforms following the 2014 New Brunswick shootings, where the RCMP were criticized for their lack of public warning. When Myles Sanderson began his spree killing early on September 4, 2022, multiple warnings were sent out on Saskatchewan’s provincial emergency alert system.
The FSIN said it has concerns that Blackmore, who made it a point to build relationships with Indigenous communities, was removed as commissioner over what it has been told were anonymous complaints.
“We firmly stand with assistant commissioner Blackmore,” said Tribal Chief Jeremy Fourhorns, of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Council. “Her time (commanding the Saskatchewan RCMP) has been defined by unwavering integrity, accountability, and a dedication to First Nation communities.”
The FSIN said Blackmore deserves praise for her leadership during that time of crisis.
One of the things she was focusing on more recently was recruiting more Indigenous people to become RCMP members, an effort that was paying off.
Removing Blackmore without explanation or any kind of transparent review undermines public confidence in the RCMP, said the chiefs.
“We demand transparent, independent oversight of RCMP disciplinary processes,” said Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman, of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
“Decisions based on anonymous complaints, absent due process, erode trust, especially in our communities still healing from historical injustices.”
The chiefs are asking that Blackmore be reinstated immediately until the review can be done, and said there should be independent oversight of the RCMP when disciplinary actions are taken.
That should involve a clear criteria for handling anonymous complaints to make sure that whistleblower policy is not being misused for personal gain, the chiefs said, adding that the process and the outcome of the investigation should be made public.
Blackmore has been an RCMP officer for 30 years, working in communities like Assiniboia, Regina and Buffalo Narrows.
The chiefs said they were disheartened to see that a commissioner they had a good relationship with was removed.
“I’m disappointed by how assistant commissioner Blackmore was removed from her post with no consultation with our nations,” said Neil Sasakamoose, a representative of the Battleford Agency Tribal Council.
“It seems like whenever we have a positive relationship with a RCMP officer, they are moved, in this case the circumstances appear questionable. We expect better treatment for someone who has given much to the people of Saskatchewan.”
