RCMP recognizes 20 years of Canadian police accomplishments overseas on National Peacekeepers Day

OTTAWA - Friday, August 7, 2009 - On the occasion of National Peacekeepers’ Day on Sunday, August 9th, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) thanks all police officers who are currently deployed overseas or who have served on international missions over the past 20 years for their outstanding contributions and personal sacrifices.

“We are proud of all of our Canadian police officers around the world who sacrifice the comforts and safety of their homes and leave their families to help keep the peace in fragile and failing parts of the world,” says RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott. “They have and are helping to make the world a safer place.”

National Peacekeepers’ Day is being marked across Canada on August 9 to pay homage to all Canadians who have participated in peacekeeping missions through the years – including more than 2,000 police officers from across Canada.

This year’s event is especially significant to the Canadian police community as it celebrates 20 years of contributing to international peace operations. Since 1989, 2,500 Canadian police officers from the RCMP and 46 municipal and provincial agencies have been deployed to 52 missions in 28 countries.

Today, there are 176 police officers from 19 agencies across Canada serving in 14 missions in nine countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, Israel, Kosovo, Ivory Coast and Timor Leste. They patrol war-torn streets, train and mentor police recruits, advise chiefs of police, provide security for elections, or assist in dealing with natural disasters or humanitarian crises.

“The conditions under which Canadian police officers are working are very difficult and the challenges they face are significant,” says Inspector Flanagan, Acting Director, International Peace Operations Branch. “They speak with pride, however, of the positive difference they are making.” 

Canadian police not only help police in fragile countries develop critically important policing skills, they also model the values of integrity, honesty, professionalism, compassion, respect and accountability. This helps to build sustainable democratic societies which respect the rule of law and human rights.

There are many other benefits to having Canadian police serve on peace missions overseas. The experience helps develop police officers’ leadership and problem-solving skills, and also enhances their ability to interact with different cultures back in Canada. Ultimately, this benefits their police service and community.

Canada also benefits, because a safer world means a safer Canada. A country recovering from war or on the brink of collapse offers ample opportunity for crime and instability to flourish. By helping local authorities to keep the peace and fight crime on their own soil, Canadian police are involved in addressing the problem before it spreads to our streets.

For interviews or further information:
RCMP National Media Relations
613-993-2999
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/po-mp/index-eng.htm

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