Vaccinating Mounties should be a priority: union

The union representing front-line RCMP officers is asking federal and provincial officials to consider Mounties for priority access to COVID-19 vaccination.

The National Police Federation says inoculating its members will ensure the safety of both officers and the communities they serve.

Federation president Brian Sauvé says letters have gone out to all provincial premiers and justice and health ministers.

He emphasizes that the federation supports prompt vaccination of health and social-service workers.

But he adds that RCMP officers cannot always keep a safe distance from others during public interactions, resulting in close contact with people each day.

Sauvé says it means members are often at risk of contracting COVID-19.