Latest news with #RhondaBlackmore
CTV News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Saskatchewan RCMP members, both active and retired, demand answers surrounding Rhonda Blackmore's removal
WATCH: Former and current RCMP members are expressing frustration over the dismissal of former Commanding Officer Rhonda Blackmore. Angela Stewart explains.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘Bring her back to us': List of public figures demanding answers over Rhonda Blackmore's removal grows larger
WATCH: Regina MP Michael Kram is the latest to demand answers on why Rhonda Blackmore was removed as Sask. RCMP head. Wayne Mantyka reports. The list of public officials demanding answers on why Rhonda Blackmore was removed as the head of the Saskatchewan RCMP is continuing to grow. Regina Wascana MP Michael Kram is arguing that the secrecy around her removal is unfair to both her and the public. Over a month has now passed since Blackmore was relieved of command of RCMP F Division without public explanation. 'Well, I just think it's totally unacceptable for Ms. Blackmore's reputation and career to be ruined as a result of anonymous complaints,' Kram told CTV News Monday. 'So, I feel it's time for the Minister of Public Safety to come clean to start providing some answers. Not only for Ms. Blackmore, but for the general public as well.' So far, there has been no response from the RCMP or the federal government. Earlier, the Government of Saskatchewan wrote to the federal Minister of Public Safety – raising concerns over the removal. 'The concern that was raised was quite simply that we lost our commanding officer of F Division and have very few details around that and it's been quite some time since that removal,' Saskatchewan's Minister of Corrections and Public Safety Tim McLeod told reporters on July 8. Blackmore has since been reassigned and is serving as the RCMP's Assistant Commissioner for Indigenous and Support Services. The FSIN has called for her reinstatement in Saskatchewan. 'We hope they reinstate her or bring her back to us where she can have that relationship,' FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron told CTV News on July 13. 'Maybe having her in these detachments, overseeing these investigations, to communicate with First Nations. Right now, there's mistrust. We don't trust, we don't trust the current system.' The provincial government is currently awaiting a response from Ottawa. Meanwhile, Kram says if he doesn't get an answer, he'll be raising the matter in the House of Commons.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Justice minister wants answers on removal of Saskatchewan's top Mountie
Assistant commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, speaks during a news conference in Regina on Thursday, June 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Saskatchewan's justice minister says he wants answers on why the RCMP's commanding officer in the province was abruptly removed. A spokesperson for Tim McLeod's office said in a statement Friday the minister has requested Ottawa provide further information and rationale on the decision involving Rhonda Blackmore. 'Minister McLeod has indicated that Rhonda's removal was surprising and disappointing,' Matthew Glover said. Glover said the minister initially made the comment in letters this week to constituents concerned about Blackmore's removal. In a letter obtained by The Canadian Press, McLeod said the decision came at a time when the province was under a state of emergency fighting wildfires. 'Saskatchewan remains committed to a strong and collaborative relationship with the RCMP and the Government of Canada to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities,' he wrote. 'We believe continued transparency and open dialogue are essential to supporting and sustaining that partnership.' Blackmore was abruptly out of the job in early June and replaced by an interim commanding officer until a new one could be selected. Media reports have cited an email from Blackmore saying she was removed due to anonymous complaints against her. The same day she was relieved of her duties, she was hired as a national assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services for the RCMP. McLeod said in the letter that Blackmore was professional and had earned the trust of government, Indigenous leaders, citizens and staff. She advocated for the well-being of officers, he added. '(She has) raised critical concerns about the operational pressures faced by RCMP officers across Saskatchewan,' McLeod wrote. 'Her leadership reflects a clear understanding of the province's unique public safety challenges.' The federal justice department declined comment, saying questions should go to the RCMP. Mounties did not immediately provide a response Friday and have previously declined to comment on any complaints about Blackmore. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan and a petition have called on the RCMP to explain Blackmore's removal and undertake an external review. Blackmore took command of the Saskatchewan RCMP in April 2021, after serving various posts across Canada for 30 years. In 2022, she launched the RCMP's first unit aimed at recruiting Indigenous people to ensure Mounties represent the communities they serve. She was also the public face of the force after the mass killings on James Smith Cree Nation in 2022. -This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025.
Global News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Saskatchewan commanding Mountie gets a new role in Ottawa
After being removed from her position as the commanding officer for the RCMP F Division, Rhonda Blackmore will now serve as the Assistant Commissioner of Indigenous Supports and Services in Ottawa. Her change in position came as a surprise by many when earlier this month RCMP confirmed her removal from her Saskatchewan position. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Blackmore was known in Saskatchewan as an officer who was working to restore ties between the indigenous peoples and the RCMP. FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron was shocked to hear the news surrounding Blackmore and the alleged anonymous complaints that she believes led to her removal from the F Division. To find out more and to see Chief Cameron's reaction, please watch the video above.
CBC
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Former Sask. commander has new job as RCMP's assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services
The RCMP says Saskatchewan's former commanding officer now has a new job with the force. Mounties say Rhonda Blackmore has been hired as assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services, replacing Warren Brown, who recently announced his retirement. The position is based out of national headquarters in Ottawa. Blackmore, a 30-year RCMP veteran who assumed the position as the assistant commissioner of Saskatchewan's RCMP F Division in April 2021, was relieved of her duties on June 3. In an emailed statement that day, Blackmore said the decision was "a result of anonymous complaints." The RCMP declined to comment on the complaints and whether they were launched through the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner — an independent federal organization that investigates wrongdoing in the federal public sector, and has jurisdiction over the RCMP. Blackmore has not commented publicly on her removal since June 3. She was not made available for an interview. This week, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations released a public letter, demanding answers about Blackmore's sudden removal. Executive members and several tribal councils from the federation, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, praised Blackmore's commitment to community policing and highlighted her leadership during key crises, including the 2022 mass killings on James Smith Cree Nation. They also said Blackmore had made efforts to improve Indigenous recruitment, foster trust through working agreements with communities and push for systemic reform within the RCMP. "Rhonda showed strong leadership during a time of crisis for James Smith," Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said in the federation's statement. "She, along with her team, worked hard to develop trust through her compassion and understanding." The FSIN said a lack of public explanation and absence of consultation for Blackmore's removal has rattled confidence in the RCMP's internal processes. The federation made three demands: The immediate reinstatement of Blackmore pending a transparent external investigation. The establishment of independent oversight for RCMP disciplinary actions, particularly regarding anonymous complaints. A formal commitment to protect RCMP officers who advocate for reform and community safety. In a statement of its own, the RCMP said it remains "fully committed to community policing and accountability" and values its relationship with the federation. It added that the appointment of an interim commanding officer "will have no impact on front-line policing operations nor the safety and security of Indigenous communities during this interim period."
