The report released Friday on the RCMP’s response to the Moncton shootings in June has met with a variety of reactions, including some questioning the review’s independence.

Led by retired RCMP assistant commissioner Alphonse MacNeil, the report promptly garnered a response from the police force itself, as well as from the widows of the three Mounties killed in Justin Bourque’s shooting spree.

The widows of Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Doug Larche praised the report, calling for stakeholders to come together and prevent future tragedy.

“I will confess, I was originally skeptical of his intentions given that he is a retired member of the RCMP, and I am certain others may have shared this concern,” said Angela Gevaudan.

“However I have come to know and appreciate Mr. MacNeil’s integrity and unbiased approach, something I do not say lightly,” she said.

MacNeil’s report contained 64 recommendations that were mostly operational in nature, including a call for Mounties to have better access to body armour and more powerful firearms, as well as to improved, encrypted communications equipment — to prevent the public from sharing information that could put officers at risk.

They weren’t alone in offering praise. One expert says the fact the report was prepared by someone within the RCMP — a retired assistant commissioner — may actually have its advantages.

Marie-Andrée Pelland, a criminology professor at the Université de Moncton, said it’s a step in the right direction that the RCMP has committed to address all the report’s recommendations.

“What they are saying is, ‘We know that we made some mistakes and we want to improve on them,’so that’s wonderful,” she said.

“It’s a real model of community policing.”

But not everyone is satisfied with the report’s independence.

Terry McKee, a former police officer, has been calling for a public inquiry for months.

“I think the public is onside with me with this, that this is nothing but just playing with words like the RCMP love to do,” he said.

The widows of the slain RCMP officers, however, say it’s time to come together.

“We are all connected and what hurts me, ultimately hurts you,” said Gevaudan.

With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell