The RCMP announced it will begin collecting race-based data in certain locations this month to better understand police interactions with people in different communities.
This pilot project followed two years of consultation across Canada.
The National Police Department announced Tuesday that data on use of force, arrests and routine testing will provide evidence-based information to help police officers improve how they serve a diverse population.
The Mounties plan to collect, analyze and report data to gain insight into the experiences of Indigenous, Black and other racialized people when dealing with police officers.
The pilot project comes more than three years after then-RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lackey acknowledged the existence of systemic racism within the force.
The killing of Black man George Floyd by Minnesota police in May 2020 fanned the flames of outrage over racism in the United States and sparked outrage and concern in Canada.
Growing anger over police brutality and discrimination has led to rallies and calls for change.
This pilot project will help the RCMP better understand the nature, scope and impact of systemic racial disparities, the force said in a news release.
The project will enable data-based decision-making and policy development, build trust with communities and ultimately improve safety, the force added.
“This initiative is an important milestone in becoming a more modern and inclusive police force,” said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duhem.
“This work is not about identifying individuals. It’s about helping us identify and improve our policies, practices, and training to better support our employees.”
The force said the collection, management and use of race-based data is consistent with its responsibilities under the Privacy Act and the RCMP Act.
The data will be collected for one year before being analyzed and results published, the RCMP added. When publishing results, the data will be presented in a summary format so that individuals cannot be identified.
The pilot project will begin in Wood Buffalo/Fort McMurray, Alta., Thompson, Mass., and Whitehorse, with two additional unnamed pilot sites later this year, one in British Columbia and one in Nova Scotia. ) is scheduled to continue.
The force says the pilot will be an opportunity for the RCMP to test processes and make improvements and adjustments ahead of an anticipated national rollout.