Commissioner of the RCMP.
Elliott was appointed the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on 6 July 2007, making him the first commissioner that had not previously served in the police or military. His appointment came after the resignation of Giuliano Zaccardelli, who left the force rocked by scandal and in crisis. Reaction to Elliott's appointment was mixed. Public perceptions are that the force's problems are rooted in its institutional culture and many felt that someone from outside the Canadian policing milieu and "free of loyalties" was necessary to effect necessary change. Many on the force, however, believe that one of their own, someone "who understands the force's unique culture and structure was needed to clean up the organization.
This man was appointed to do a difficult job and the very people he was sent to restructure or repair have decided not to cooperate with him. This is typical of people who have been at the top of their authority silos for too long. They are no longer serving the law but have decided that they are above it. It is time to tell them that they too are responsible for obedience and accountablility under the law. Elliot deserves to have his mandate validated by Harper and by the public so that we can fix whatever is broken in our national police force and bring it to readiness for the future. This is the only process that will restore the faith and compassion of the Canadian public. The RCMP may need changes from our government and our populations in terms of more man power and funding in light of their overwhelming responsibilities. That can only come when we know that they have their house in order.
William Elliott received a B.A. and an LL.B. in Common Law from the University of Ottawa and called to the bar of Ontario in 1981. He worked in private law practice until 1988 when he joined the civil service. He rose rapidly within the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada's office first as Legal Advisor and Special Assistant, then in 1989, he was named Executive Assistant. He then became chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Don Mazankowski in the Mulroney government. From 1992 to 1998, he was with the Department of Justice as Senior General Counsel and Head of Legal Services for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. He also held the position of Senior Counsel Manager, Comprehensive Claims and Northern Affairs in the Department of Justice. In 1998, Elliott became Deputy Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard and from 2000 to 2003 was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, for the Department of Transport.
Before becoming National Security Advisor in 2005, he was an Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, responsible for the Security and Intelligence Secretariat at the Privy Council Office.
How can anyone possibly say that he is unqualified for the position. Is it not more likely that the system that is in place among the upper eschelon of the RCMP has just decided not to cooperate?
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