Categories: Need to know

RCMP commissioner will step down in July

William Elliot faced heavy criticism from top brass

by macleans.ca on Friday, February 4, 2011 4:30pm - 3 Comments

William Elliot, the beleaguered RCMP commissioner who became the first civilian chief of the force in 2007, announced on Friday that he will step down next July. Complaints began to surface in July of last year from RCMP officers who said that Elliot was abrasive, bullying and difficult to work with. Former CSIS director Reid Morden was later hired for $28,000 to produce a “workplace assessment” of the force. Many of Elliot’s critics were replaced, such as Deputy Commissioner Raf Souccar. CTV News’ Don Martin expressed surprise at Elliot’s resignation, saying “he seemed to have won,” while noting that Elliot himself had previously stated that “the mood of the senior leadership of the RCMP is very positive.” Liberal public safety critic Mark Holland says that with Elliot’s resignation, it is an opportune time to reform the RCMP.

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Tags: Mounties

Bepele

"RCMP commissioner will step down "
Thank goodness. The last two commissioners were disasters. Elliot did nothing to improve the situation. However a commissioner from inside the force may not be a good idea. He may have bias for the RCMP and not place the peoples' interests in priority.

Steve Connolly

Elliott should not have been hired in the first place. Aside from not being qualified to manage such
a complex organization, his temper tantrums and hurtful demeanor to all levels of staff could have been determined
prior to his RCMP appointment. He, like for Zaccardelli, leaves in disgrace with a poor record.

KrazyKat

Perhaps Liberal Senator Colin Kenny (the oft-quoted and copiously opinionated "expert" on the RCMP) should be selected? He knows the political systems inside-out and he's an "expert" on the RCMP who has authored reports on how to fix the malaise… and he is unlikely to be a lapdog and apologist for the Conservatives…