RCMP long-term off-duty sick leave (LT-ODS) has surged, increasing by over 184% from 2010 to 2024. By early 2025, about 7% of the regular force … about 1,413 members, were absent for over 30 consecutive days due to illness or injury, costing taxpayers an estimated $58 million.
The RCMP’s current policy provides cops with up to unlimited sick leave at 100% of their regular salary. If absent for over four days cops must provide a medical certificate and work with Occupational Health Services, Disability Management Advisors, and Health Services Nurses to build a return-to-work or accommodation plan. Long-term, off-duty sick status is used for absences due to illness, injury or disability that exceed 30 consecutive days.
Once the paperwork is done, cops are in the clear at full pay for years.
An 18-month review by the RCMP’s Management Advisory Board (MAB) highlighted the severe issues. Because cops receive full pay with no short-term disability transition, there is no incentive for them to return to work. The growing volume of absences adds pressure to those who remain. In the private sector, 2% would normally be expected to seek sick leave.
The math says upwards of 900 cops are scammers, and that number is rising.
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