(The Canadian Press) – Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has named Reid Morden, former head of the country’s spy agency, to look into management troubles that have roiled the RCMP.
Toews says Morden will conduct an independent workplace assessment of the Mounties.
Morden will deliver his report to the Public Safety Department, but the results will not be made public because the government considers the quarrel an internal human resources matter.
The announcement follows an unprecedented revolt by senior RCMP brass against their civilian boss Bill Elliott’s “abrasive” leadership style.
Complaints about Elliott were lodged formally—one in writing by retiring Ontario assistant commissioner Mike McDonell—and in visits by 10 or more deputy and assistant commissioners to the public safety department’s top suite of offices over the past two weeks.
Toews, however, has said it’s unacceptable for senior officials to be airing grievances through the media.
He also repeated Friday that he’s determined to shake up the iconic police force.
“This government will continue its work to reform and strengthen our national police force, and remains committed to ensuring the RCMP becomes a stronger, more accountable organization,” Toews said in announcing Morden’s appointment.
Elliott took the job in July 2007 when the Mounties were shaken by a series of problems, including the force’s mishandling of the Maher Arar case and claims of corruption in its pension plan. A major report described the force as “horribly broken.”
Elliott, a former national security adviser to prime minister Paul Martin, was brought in to provide civilian oversight.
Morden is a former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who was also a diplomat and was once deputy minister of foreign affairs. He also served as president and CEO of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
He now runs Reid Morden and Associates, a firm offering public policy advice to both governments and the private sector.
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