RCMP Occurrence Report - 2021

The RCMP makes every effort to ensure the data included in this report is complete, accurate and up-to-date. Amendments are made as new information becomes available.

To promote trust, transparency, and accountability for the Canadian public, the RCMP is committed to open, proactive and routine disclosure of police information.

This report includes the number of occurrences, by province and territory, entered into the RCMP's Records Management Systems (RMS) for the past 10 years, except British Columbia (BC) where available data goes back to 2018. Data from the previous calendar year is revised to represent updates made to occurrences within the RMS.

An occurrence can be any type of police-related event or activity that is entered into police records management systems. It could be generated from a call for service or something that is self-generated by a police officer, like stopping a driver they believe is impaired.

This report also includes mental health and well-being check occurrences. It is important to note that mental health legislation is established by provinces and territories. Laws, regulations, procedures and reporting requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For this reason, the availability of mental health and well-being check occurrence data varies.

The RCMP provides frontline (contract) policing services to all provinces and territories, except Ontario and Quebec where the RCMP only has a Federal Policing mandate. The data in this report includes RCMP occurrences in Ontario and Quebec, including the National Capital Region.

Note

Provincial, Territorial and regional reporting of RCMP occurrences may include specific regional codes. Due to these differing methodologies, National RCMP occurrence reporting may differ from local reporting.

Overall count of RCMP occurrences - 2021

Figure 1 - RCMP count of occurrences, 2011 to 2021

For more detailed information regarding this figure, please go to the text version of figure 1 below.

Figure 1 - Text version

Province/Territory	RCMP^{Figure 1 footnote 1} count of occurrences
Province/Territory	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Newfoundland & Labrador	55,717	55,456	53,872	54,365	56,366	59,788	57,667	56,910	57,383	61,070	63,823
Prince Edward Island	17,171	17,311	16,173	15,814	15,064	16,812	17,054	18,073	18,106	18,681	25,141
Nova Scotia^{Figure 1 footnote 2}	125,511	120,279	138,255	144,331	142,290	145,576	142,520	143,027	144,626	136,668	139,591
New Brunswick	110,297	109,220	105,023	98,823	101,760	110,785	120,933	123,956	124,422	151,980	161,819
Quebec^{Figure 1 footnote 3}	13,695	13,252	13,686	9,846	8,429	7,993	14,347	14,930	13,101	10,908	6,370
Ontario^{Figure 1 footnote 3}^{Figure 1 footnote 4}	30,754	30,112	26,387	24,758	23,991	25,611	26,596	29,173	25,789	17,739	20,739
Manitoba	184,345	180,884	180,940	172,336	189,640	204,771	203,612	199,570	202,315	203,846	211,405
Saskatchewan^{Figure 1 footnote 5}	237,703	243,851	240,138	242,268	270,259	278,936	284,864	294,398	321,541	322,882	338,542
Alberta	635,457	650,580	644,947	639,452	638,147	623,659	650,080	797,798	803,019	721,688	701,126
British Columbia^{Figure 1 footnote 6}	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	1,222,319	1,261,309	1,221,495	1,237,639
Yukon	19,537	19,486	21,065	21,876	22,185	22,496	21,992	23,032	24,081	24,010	24,266
Northwest Territories	41,694	41,591	39,912	38,938	39,671	36,690	36,053	37,107	39,511	43,434	44,193
Nunavut	22,566	23,764	21,308	21,075	21,949	23,082	23,353	27,032	30,148	33,139	34,210

Figure 1 footnotes

Figure 1 footnote 1

The RCMP has three Records Management Systems (RMS): Police Reporting and Occurrence System (PROS), Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME) and Versadex (Halifax District). Data may not be comparable between all RMS.

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Figure 1 footnote 2

Nova Scotia includes H Division PROS and Halifax District Versadex.

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Figure 1 footnote 3

Quebec and Ontario only include occurrences reported under the Federal Policing mandate.

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Figure 1 footnote 4

Ontario includes RCMP National Headquarters, National Division, and O Division.

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Figure 1 footnote 5

Saskatchewan includes RCMP Depot.

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Figure 1 footnote 6

British Columbia collects data under their own RMS - Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME). Data is available beginning in 2018.

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Data source and extract date information

PROS data extracted from PROS on August 25, 2022.
PRIME data extracted on June 29, 2022.
VERSADEX data extracted on July 27, 2022.

Count of RCMP well-being check occurrences - 2021

Figure 2 - RCMP wellbeing check occurrences, 2016 to 2021

For more detailed information regarding this figure, please go to the text version of figure 2 below.

Figure 2 - Text version

Province/Territory	RCMP^{Figure 2 footnote 1} wellbeing check^{Figure 2 footnote 2} occurrences
Province/Territory	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Newfoundland & Labrador	375	453	547	565	808	1,144
Prince Edward Island	175	233	392	443	350	433
Nova Scotia^{Figure 2 footnote 3}	1,020	1,587	1,711	2,174	2,734	3,247
New Brunswick	1,645	2,688	2,167	2,313	2,609	3,262
Quebec^{Figure 2 footnote 4}	79	125	161	227	140	191
Ontario^{Figure 2 footnote 4}^{Figure 2 footnote 5}	77	141	379	328	211	215
Manitoba	1,218	1,865	2,313	2,972	3,588	4,848
Saskatchewan^{Figure 2 footnote 6}	1,485	2,045	2,953	3,508	4,490	5,259
Alberta	5,159	7,972	9,846	12,029	15,532	18,178
British Columbia^{Figure 2 footnote 7}	no data	no data	no data	no data	47,153	63,761
Yukon	591	642	914	920	1,268	1,207
Northwest Territories	410	617	781	991	1,267	1,264
Nunavut	380	540	955	1,314	1,390	1,526

Figure 2 footnotes

Figure 2 footnote 1

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Figure 2 footnote 2

Data represents Wellbeing Check occurrences with the UCR violation code for Wellbeing Check (8550) in PROS. PRIME data includes Check Wellbeing occurrences - a new code added in January 2020. Halifax Versadex does not have a wellness check occurrence type, therefore a search on the Remarks field was completed based on the term "wellness." Please note that a wellbeing check, check wellbeing, and a wellness check may include other wellness checks not specifically related to mental health.

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Figure 2 footnote 3

Nova Scotia includes H Division PROS and Halifax District Versadex.

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Figure 2 footnote 4

Quebec and Ontario only include occurrences reported under the Federal Policing mandate.

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Figure 2 footnote 5

Ontario includes RCMP National Headquarters, National Division, and O Division.

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Figure 2 footnote 6

Saskatchewan includes RCMP Depot.

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Figure 2 footnote 7

British Columbia collects data under their own RMS - Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME). The Check Well-Being code was added to BC PRIME in 2020.

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Data source and extract date information

PROS data extracted from PROS on August 25, 2022.
PRIME data extracted on June 29, 2022.
VERSADEX data extracted on July 27, 2022.

Count of RCMP Mental Health Act occurrences - 2021

Figure 3 - RCMP mental health-related occurrences, 2011 to 2021

For more detailed information regarding this figure, please go to the text version of figure 3 below.

Figure 3 - Text version

Province/Territory	RCMP^{Figure 3 footnote 1} mental health-related^{Figure 3 footnote 2} occurrences
Province/Territory	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Newfoundland & Labrador	1,808	1,798	1,877	2,148	2,313	2,464	2,711	2,854	3,168	3,795	4,661
Prince Edward Island	412	461	471	464	464	550	692	874	871	757	873
Nova Scotia^{Figure 3 footnote 3}	2,803	2,870	2,608	3,339	3,987	4,817	5,957	5,876	5,721	5,987	6,206
New Brunswick	3,210	3,598	3,666	3,939	4,534	4,568	4,959	5,776	6,187	6,061	6,485
Quebec^{Figure 3 footnote 4}	66	53	115	95	83	94	66	41	39	63	69
Ontario^{Figure 3 footnote 4}^{Figure 3 footnote 5}	66	113	131	121	194	207	283	300	192	116	165
Manitoba	4,912	5,433	5,799	5,586	6,110	6,916	7,321	6,877	7,181	8,075	9,060
Saskatchewan^{Figure 3 footnote 6}	4,272	4,502	4,498	5,117	5,758	6,510	7,517	7,541	8,170	10,044	10,724
Alberta	11,735	12,931	13,974	15,525	16,766	17,345	18,883	20,254	20,710	23,372	25,583
British Columbia^{Figure 3 footnote 7}	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	63,787	65,967	69,845	72,922
Yukon	466	476	482	504	613	731	716	695	1,001	1,064	991
Northwest Territories	886	1,042	1,003	1,059	1,209	1,148	1,138	1,355	1,554	1,584	1,650
Nunavut	1,425	1,579	1,509	1,458	1,520	1,864	1,667	2,093	2,519	2,686	3,031

Figure 3 footnotes

Figure 3 footnote 1

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Figure 3 footnote 2

Data represents mental health occurrences for the following Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) violation codes in PROS: Mental Health Act - Offences only (7300), Mental Health Act - Other activities (8840). PRIME data includes occurrences with the "Mental Health Related" study flag or a mental health-related UCR violation code. Halifax Versadex includes files identified as mental health-related.

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Figure 3 footnote 3

Nova Scotia includes H Division PROS for all years and Halifax District Versadex beginning in 2014.

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Figure 3 footnote 4

Quebec and Ontario only include occurrences reported under the Federal Policing mandate.

Return to figure 3 footnote 4 referrer

Figure 3 footnote 5

Ontario includes RCMP National Headquarters, National Division, and O Division.

Return to figure 3 footnote 5 referrer

Figure 3 footnote 6

Saskatchewan includes RCMP Depot.

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Figure 3 footnote 7

British Columbia collects data under their own RMS - Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME). Data is available beginning in 2018.

Return to figure 3 footnote 7 referrer

Data source and extract date information

PROS data extracted from PROS on August 25, 2022.
PRIME data extracted on June 29, 2022.
VERSADEX data extracted on July 27, 2022.

Responding to people in crisis

When it comes to mental health occurrences, this data does not represent all RCMP interactions with individuals suffering from mental illness. For example, some occurrences may be filed as an assault, a weapons complaint, a suspicious occurrence, or noise complaint as a result of someone shouting. The language used by complainants, witnesses, family members, or the subject of the complaint varies. Therefore, for these reasons, not all incidences of mental health-related calls for service may be captured in police RMS as mental health-related.

Well-being checks include various checks not related to mental health. Well-being checks may include requests to physically confirm the well-being of a loved one who is not responding or unreachable.

The RCMP, like other police agencies, is very supportive of a collaborative approach for people in crisis, and for individuals experiencing symptoms of distress or addiction. Some communities across Canada have mobile mental health support and outreach services, typically in the form of a psychiatric nurse. In areas where a joint mental health response is available, and when situational factors permit, national RCMP policy guidance states that RCMP officers should consult with mental health personnel first. The establishment of such joint mental health responses is contingent on resources and support from provincial and municipal health services. Mobile mental health resources are not available in all jurisdictions, leaving RCMP members to deal with these calls unsupported in the vast majority of cases.

All occurrences, whether known to be mental health-related or not, are responded to with the same training and caution. There is no such thing as a "routine call."

In many parts of Canada, police officers are often the first responders on scene when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. Police have a critical role to play when responding and interacting with a person with a mental illness or a person in crisis.

Police officers are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose individuals. However, it is important for the police to have an understanding of mental illnesses, including the signs and symptoms of distress, in order to conduct effective risk assessments and de-escalate a mental health crisis, whenever it is tactically feasible.

Addressing the mental health needs of individuals and communities requires empathy, patience, and awareness on the part of first responders. Through crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, many mental health crises can be managed with decreased risk to the public and police officers.

Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Training

Ensuring RCMP officers are properly trained to serve all people with dignity and respect is a priority. Training and development of all of our officers start with the Cadet Training Program (CTP) at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division, and continues throughout their RCMP career on an ongoing basis.

The RCMP has strengthened crisis intervention and de-escalation training for all its officers. Since 2016 an online training course on crisis intervention and de-escalation has been mandatory for all RCMP officers. The course takes approximately three hours and is available through the RCMP's E-learning portal. The course includes a module on some of the major mental illnesses and their observable behaviours, which can assist police officers in tailoring their approach to the person in crisis. This mandatory training helps police officers determine when and how to use crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques and complements what cadets learn at Depot as well as other training offered in RCMP divisions and detachments.

Since April 2021, crisis intervention and de-escalation training is now incorporated into annual IMIM re-certification training. Scenarios involving crisis intervention and de-escalation training are also in place as a part of regular, in-person, operational skills maintenance training.

An online Suicide Prevention and Awareness course is available to all employees on the RCMP Intranet. It teaches the factors associated with suicide, crisis intervention techniques, and the importance of seeking help, or supporting others to do so, when they are living with mental health issues that are having a negative impact on their well-being.

In addition, the two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is mandatory for employees who are in positions where they are likely to encounter individuals living with serious mental stress.

Police intervention training and procedures

The RCMP recognizes that even in situations where crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques can be used, police intervention may still be required.

The Incident Management Intervention Model (IMIM) is the framework used by RCMP officers to assess and manage risk in all encounters with the public — whether it's verbal de-escalation, or the use of an intervention option. You can learn more about IMIM training and read our 2021 Police Intervention Options Report.

Understanding more about RCMP Records Management Systems and data limitations

The RCMP uses three RMS to capture and track occurrences. The PROS is used in all RCMP jurisdictions except British Columbia and the Halifax Regional Municipality. In British Columbia, the RCMP uses PRIME, Halifax District RCMP is integrated with Halifax Regional Police and uses Versadex, while remaining RCMP jurisdictions use PROS.

Each RMS has a unique methodology for counting occurrences; comparisons between RMS are not recommended.

Date modified:: 2022-10-11

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RCMP Occurrence Report - 2021

Note

Overall count of RCMP occurrences - 2021

Figure 1 - Text version

Data source and extract date information

Count of RCMP well-being check occurrences - 2021

Figure 2 - Text version

Data source and extract date information

Count of RCMP Mental Health Act occurrences - 2021

Figure 3 - Text version

Data source and extract date information

Responding to people in crisis

Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Training

Police intervention training and procedures

Understanding more about RCMP Records Management Systems and data limitations