The recent suicides of two on-duty Manitoba RCMP officers have renewed calls to address burnout and revamp the force’s policing model.

The union representing RCMP members confirmed one officer died by suicide in September and a second suicide death occurred last month.

Both Mounties were on duty when they died.

“Suicide and related rates in RCMP are just so incredibly high,” said Bobby Baker, the prairie director for the National Police Federation.

Mental-health issues are on the rise as staffing shortages force officers to work more and longer shifts, Baker said.

And while force members have unlimited access to mental-health resources and psychologists, that isn’t the answer, he said.

“The issue is that our officers are burned out, and regardless of the care, they’re burned out with

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