RCMP commissioner pledges to increase number of women joining Mounties

OTTAWA – RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson says he’s doing everything he can to increase the number of women in uniform.

Paulson made the commitment during testimony today before the House of Commons status of women committee.

Paulson was testifying after the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP released a report two weeks ago calling for fundamental changes to the way the Mounties handle harassment complaints.

The commission stopped short of identifying a systemic problem of sexual harassment within the force, despite intense publicity about difficulties and grievances.

Paulson says he wants half of all new recruits to be women within two years to help reach the goal of having a national police force that is 30-per-cent female by 2025.

Ian McPhail, interim chairman of the complaints body, says the RCMP needs to do more to encourage men and women to come forward with complaints of harassment.