Working with the RCMP and other police forces

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

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Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer

The attendance of an officer in dress uniform serves as a symbol of important Canadian values, such as law, order and good government.

When an RCMP officer is present, they open and close the ceremony. See Citizenship ceremony opening and Citizenship ceremony closure and reception. When there is a platform party, the officer leads the platform members in and out of the ceremony room as per the order of precedence.

When two RCMP officers are present, one officer stands at the beginning of the procession and opens the ceremony, while the second stands at the end of the procession. Both officers remain on each end of the stage area and at the receiving line. The RCMP officer who opened the ceremony should be the one to close it.

Unless other arrangements have been made with the RCMP officials, the clerk of the ceremony liaises directly with the local RCMP detachment for an officer to take part in the citizenship ceremony. All efforts should be made to have an RCMP officer present at enhanced ceremonies.

RCMP officers participate in citizenship ceremonies on a voluntary basis and may not always be available.

Other police forces

Provincial and municipal police forces can participate as prominent guests (dressed in their ceremonial uniform), as honour guards or as hosts of a citizenship ceremony.

Generally, members of provincial and municipal police forces do not open or close a citizenship ceremony. However, they can do so if an RCMP officer is unavailable.

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