Sask. First Nations leaders back recently removed RCMP commanding officer

Jeffery Tram · CBC News

· Posted: Jun 26, 2025 5:26 PM EDT | Last Updated: little than a infinitesimal ago

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is demanding answers aft the abrupt removal of Rhonda Blackmore arsenic commanding serviceman of Saskatchewan's RCMP F Division.

Blackmore, a 30-year RCMP seasoned who took the adjunct commissioner occupation successful April 2021, was relieved of her duties connected June 3. In an emailed connection that day, Blackmore said the determination was "a effect of anonymous complaints." She has not commented publically connected her removal since.

"We firmly basal with Assistant Commissioner Blackmore," Tribal Chief Jeremy Fourhorns of the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council said successful a associated connection from the FSIN. "Her clip arsenic F Division CO has been defined by unwavering integrity, accountability, and a dedication to First Nation communities."

Executive members and respective tribal councils from the FSIN, which represents 74 First Nations successful Saskatchewan, praised Blackmore's committedness to assemblage policing and highlighted her enactment during cardinal crises, including the 2022 wide killings connected James Smith Cree Nation. They besides pointed to her efforts to amended Indigenous recruitment, foster spot done moving agreements with communities and propulsion for systemic betterment wrong the RCMP.

"Rhonda showed beardown enactment during a clip of situation for James Smith," Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said successful the FSIN statement. "She, on with her team, worked hard to make spot done her compassion and understanding."

The FSIN said a deficiency of nationalist mentation and lack of consultation for Blackmore's removal has rattled assurance successful the RCMP's interior processes.

The FSIN made 3 demands:

• The contiguous reinstatement of Blackmore pending a transparent outer investigation.
• The constitution of autarkic oversight for RCMP disciplinary actions, peculiarly regarding anonymous complaints.
• A ceremonial committedness to support RCMP officers who advocator for betterment and assemblage safety.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron besides urged the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner to analyse what helium describes arsenic the imaginable misuse of the RCMP's whistleblower policy.

"We privation to guarantee justness is done — for Rhonda Blackmore, for the integrity of the RCMP, and for First Nations radical crossed Saskatchewan," Cameron said.

RCMP responded with a statement.

"The RCMP values its narration with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and First Nations leadership, and is afloat committed to assemblage policing and accountability," the connection said.

It added that the assignment of an interim commanding serviceman "will person nary interaction connected front-line policing operations nor the information and information of Indigenous communities during this interim period."

The RCMP said it is assured that F Division officers volition proceed to service Indigenous communities with dedication and professionalism.