Above the Law

Above the Law examines systemic issues within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through investigative journalism. The book focuses on several major cases and controversies that have impacted public trust in Canada's national police force. Paul Palango draws on years of research and interviews to document patterns of behavior, policy decisions, and institutional culture within the RCMP. The narrative traces how various incidents and internal practices have contributed to what the author identifies as serious organizational problems. The investigation spans multiple provinces and decades of RCMP operations, examining both high-profile cases and lesser-known incidents that reveal broader patterns. The book includes analysis of official responses, political oversight, and attempts at reform within the organization. The work raises fundamental questions about police accountability, institutional power, and the relationship between law enforcement and democratic governance in Canada. Through its examination of the RCMP, the book speaks to universal themes about authority, transparency, and public service.

Readers describe this investigation of the RCMP as revealing but uneven. The book examines policing failures and systemic issues within Canada's national police force. Readers praised: - Detailed research and documentation - Clear explanations of complex policing structures - New information about the Nova Scotia mass shooting - Connections drawn between different RCMP incidents Common criticisms: - Repetitive writing style - Lack of clear organization - Too many tangential details - Some unsupported assertions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.4/5 (89 reviews) Notable reader comments: "Exhaustively researched but needed better editing" - Goodreads reviewer "Important content buried in meandering narrative" - Amazon reviewer "Eye-opening look at institutional problems" - Amazon reviewer "Makes a strong case for police reform" - Goodreads reviewer "Sometimes gets lost in minutiae" - Amazon reviewer

Wilful Blindness by Sydney Finkelstein Documents how RCMP failures and institutional corruption led to Canada's worst mass shooting in Nova Scotia.

The Force by Don Winslow Chronicles the rise of corruption within the NYPD through a detective who crosses moral lines.

I Am Not Making This Up by Christie Blatchford Exposes systemic issues in Canadian law enforcement and justice through investigation of key cases.

The Enemy Within by Gary Dimmock Reveals police corruption in Ottawa through examination of an officer's descent into criminal activity.

Gotham Unbound by James Lardner, Thomas Reppetto Traces the history of police corruption and reform efforts in the NYPD from 1900 to present.

📚 Author Paul Palango spent 15 years as an investigative reporter and editor at The Globe and Mail before becoming one of Canada's leading experts on policing issues. 🔍 The book examines the RCMP's response to the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, which became the deadliest rampage in Canadian history with 22 victims. 🏆 "Above the Law" was a finalist for the 2023 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. 📖 The book reveals that the RCMP had previously received multiple warnings about the perpetrator, including reports of illegal weapons and domestic violence. 🗣️ Following the book's publication, Palango testified before the Mass Casualty Commission, contributing to policy changes in how the RCMP communicates with the public during active shooter situations.