The head of the RCMP has apologized after the public footed the bill for having an honour guard of on-duty Mounties at his wedding.
Commissioner Bob Paulson said he plans to reimburse the government for the $912 it cost to the have the constables stand guard at his Aug. 16 wedding to Erin O’Gorman.
Paulson also issued an apology to the eight members from the honour guard who attended the ceremony. According to the Globe and Mail, the constables are members in training for the Musical Ride branch.
“I would like to apologize to the members and to Canadians,” the commissioner said in a statement released by the RCMP. “I will reimburse $912 to the Receiver General as this amount represents the three hours of work of these eight constables.”
An RCMP spokesman said Paulson had asked for some volunteers to participate and was not consulted about using on-duty Mounties. It's not unusual for such a guard to attend a member's wedding, the spokesman added.
Members of the honour guard dressed in their red serge uniforms for the ceremony and formed a bridal arch with their lances as Paulson and O’Gorman exited St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Ottawa.
Paulson became commissioner of the RCMP last November.
Since he took office, the agency has faced a series of damaging allegations of sexual harassment from female RCMP members.
Approximately 200 current and former RCMP officers have expressed an interest in joining an ongoing class-action lawsuit that alleges widespread sexual harassment within the police force.
With files from The Canadian Press
