Conduct Case MPCC‑2023‑061 Summary

The complainant alleged that he was not treated fairly during a roadside check stop when his driver’s licence was suspended without valid grounds and on the basis of racial profiling.

The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal’s (CFPM) Office of Professional Standards concluded that the incident was handled in accordance with policy, procedure, and the law, and that there was nothing to suggest that the subject member of the military police treated the complainant differently based on the complainant’s ethnic origin.

After review, the MPCC determined that the allegations were not supported by the evidence. The MPCC found that the complainant’s driver’s licence was suspended, and his vehicle seized because he could not provide a breath sample after being given several opportunities to do so. This accorded with the applicable legislation and procedural guidelines. The evidence did not support that the complainant faced differential or unusual treatment that was discriminatory. However, the MPCC made several recommendations aimed at reinforcing professional standards and procedural compliance. First, the subject member of the military police should be reminded of the legal and procedural limits governing inventory searches to ensure actions remain within authorized boundaries and reinforce his understanding of the applicable procedures and guidelines. Second, greater care should be taken in documenting police actions, with attention to accuracy and adherence to professional standards. Third, the subject member of the military police should be reminded of the importance of consistently using the Mobile Video Recording System (MVRS) to capture all incidents involving the exercise of police duties or functions, thereby ensuring a complete and reliable record of events. These recommendations collectively support accountability, transparency, and operational integrity. The CFPM accepted these recommendations.

While the MPCC concluded that there was insufficient evidence to determine that the complainant’s licence was suspended and his vehicle seized without valid grounds or as a result of racial profiling, it nonetheless acknowledged the significance of the complainant’s concerns. The MPCC recognized that discrimination, racial profiling, and both conscious and unconscious bias are real and deeply felt realities for many members of racialized communities in Canada.

Date modified:

2025-09-12