Taking a quick look at your profile, respectfully, I wonder how you feel about
this link.
I don't intend this as a slight. I intend it to prove a point and that point is that we in the CAF are taught to follow orders and reg's. And if we do NOT, there could be consequences. And that we follow those orders, regulations, etc
even if we do not agree with them.
Furthermore, we are trained that we are to afford impartiality and fairness to those subordinate to us in the performance of our duties, on behalf of Canada. Example, if the CO was to award 1 day short leave to 'any unit members who get exempt on their EXPRES test', and I don't agree with it, can/should I then go against this and deny the folks who work for me a Short day if I don't agree with it?
We in the CAF have a continuing problem of people/people in positions of authority making decisions based on their
opinion/view that is contrary to
CAF policy/orders/regs. If in doubt, go check out the CMJ Court Martials records for 2013....2012. Or the Grievance Board decisions over the years, where the CDS as Final Authority has overturned decisions that were deemed contrary to CAF policy/regs/etc made by IAs from COs on up to the ECSs.
If we have that issue in the CAF (and we do...), it is reasonable to assume other organizations have it too including the RCMP, because people aren't always able to be removed and unbiased in their decisions. Think back to when 'squareback' haircuts were allowed after years of taper-only and how many RSMs and Sgt-Maj's didn't agree with it. Or male CAF mbr's wearing earrings when not in uniform. Hell back years ago women couldn't vote. People resist change.
Para 51 states "on duty" and it is reasonable to suggest that RCMP members who are on duty are also likely going to be "in uniform".
I am not saying I agree, as a member of society, with the current RCMP policy, but I 100% state that current RCMP reg's apply.
I haven't actually read the story or seen the new footage; I was talking to a friend tonight and we debated it. I said "there is no way a Mountie can be allowed to smoke weed". Wanting to prove my friend wrong, I went looking for their reg's and was surprised to find what I found. Maybe having not seen the CBC stuff made it easy to be a little more objective.