Source: (2012) Dissertation. MA in Restorative Justice in the University of Hull.
This paper will explore what influences a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (hereafter ‘RCMP’)
member in British Columbia (hereafter ‘BC’) to refer a file to restorative justice (hereafter ´RJ´).
According to the Canadian Inventory of RJ Programs there are RJ programs for youths and
adults available in every province and territory in Canada (Canadian Resource Centre for
Victims of Crime, 2011). While this information reveals RJ programs are present throughout
Canada it is not clear how or if these programs are utilized by RCMP or in what context. We
know that RJ was identified as a national strategic priority for the RCMP in 1997 and removed
from the priority list in 2002 (Deukmedjian, 2008) although questions remain as to how or if the
change in priority has impacted the use of RJ within the RCMP. There is no national RCMP
policy regarding the use of RJ. Given the scope of the RCMP’s policing agreements across
Canada, it is reasonable to assume that acceptance of RJ practice by the RCMP would provide a
strong impetus for the remainder of policing agencies in Canada to embrace RJ as a legitimate
element of the justice system (Deukmedjian, 2008). (excerpt)
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