RCMP renewing mental health conversations following the death of 2 officers

Warning: This article deals with suicide. If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone, help is available 24/7 at 1-866-277-3553, by text at 535353, or by chat at suicide.ca.

Two Manitoba RCMP officers, one off-duty and one on-duty, have died by suicide in the last month. The deaths have deeply affected members across the province, as conversations continue around workload, burnout, and mental-health pressures within the force.

The National Police Federation confirmed the two deaths took place in September and October. Union Prairie Director Bobby Baker says many officers are struggling to keep up with long hours and demanding workloads, particularly in smaller detachments where staffing levels remain low.

“It was tough when it happened. We have 20,000 officers, but we’re like a family,” said Baker.

“We have a lot of supports, but the burnout and the toll everything takes along the way is at the heart of everything.”

A 2024 study called Behind the Badge found that RCMP members are six times more likely than the general public to screen positive for a mental health disorder. Manitoba RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy says wellness teams have been deployed, and members are encouraged to reach out for help.

“Critical incident debriefings are conducted with the impact employees and units, and that’s all categories, regular members, support staff, civilian members, you name it,” said McMurchy.

“All of our folks, our whole team here, is concerned about these types of events.”

The RCMP admit staffing has been a challenge in Manitoba, with roughly 15 per cent of positions currently vacant, one of the highest rates in the country.

McMurchy says nearly sixty new recruits are expected by spring to help ease that pressure; however, Baker says while they are on the right track, more needs to be done.

“We need to staff our major crimes units that are being burnt out, and most recent officer who took his life came from. We need to staff those until, and we need Ottawa to process the incidents; it’s hard to believe there are over 20,000 applicants in the queue,” said Baker.

CityNews reached out to the federal government’s minister for safety, but has not heard back by broadcast deadline. Both the RCMP and the National Police Federation say they’re focused on supporting officers and reducing workloads.