RCMP Commissioner Elliott's letter to staff

The CBC has obtained a the text of RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott's letter to staff. We reprint it here:

"I am very pleased to announce changes to the structure and make up of the RCMP's Senior Management Team. These changes follow broad consultations beginning last spring with contract partners and others, as part of our ongoing efforts to bring about positive change in the Force in order to better serve Canadians and better support our employees.

Two new senior executive positions are being created, Deputy Commissioner West and Deputy Commissioner East. Initially the Deputy Commissioner West will be located in Vancouver and the Deputy Commissioner East in Halifax. Effective immediately, Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass will assume responsibilities as Deputy Commissioner West and Deputy Commissioner Steve Graham will assume responsibilities as Deputy Commissioner East.

Once fully implemented, the important responsibilities of serving as the Commanding Officer for a Division will be separated from the responsibilities of Regional Deputy. This will allow each of our Commanding Officers across the country to focus on activities and issues within their Division, and to be supported by a Deputy Commissioner whose full time responsibilities are to support them and to contribute to the overall leadership of the Force as members of the Senior Executive Committee. The Commanding Officers of British Columbia ("E" Division), Alberta ("K" Division), Saskatchewan ("F" Division), Manitoba ("D" Division), Yukon ("M" Division), the Northwest Territories ("G" Division) and Nunavut ("V" Division) will report to the Deputy Commissioner West. The Commanding Officers of Ontario ("O" Division), the National Capital Region ("A" Division), National Headquarters, Québec ("C" Division), New Brunswick ("J" Division), Nova Scotia ("H" Division), Prince Edward Island ("L" Division) and Newfoundland and Labrador ("B" Division) will report to the Deputy Commissioner East.

The Deputy Commissioner positions Pacific Region, Northwest Region, Central Region and Atlantic Region have been eliminated. The responsibilities of the former Regional Deputy Commissioner positions are being assumed by the new Deputies East and West.

No further changes to our regional structure or reporting relationships are being made at this time, so for example, regional employees currently serving in the Northwest Region will now report to the Deputy Commissioner West.

Consultations with employees, contract partners and others on potential future changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the RCMP will be undertaken by the new Deputies. The Deputies will help strengthen links with Headquarters and between Regions and Divisions, and will champion and manage national and regional priorities and regional issues of national interest. The Deputies East and West will also play an important role in coaching and mentoring Commanding Officers and others. They will also facilitate and support Regional Councils of Commanding Officers to address common issues across Divisions, for example, in the Atlantic provinces or the three northern territories.

It is also anticipated that the Deputies will play a key role in the management of our Police Services Contracts and in our ongoing transformation activities.

I am also very pleased to announce the appointment of new Commanding Officers of "K" Division (Alberta), "F" Division (Saskatchewan) and "H" Division (Nova Scotia).

Assistant Commissioner Dale McGowan will assume responsibility as Commanding Officer of "K" Division, Chief Superintendent Russell Mirasty takes on the role of Commanding Officer of "F" Division, and Chief Superintendent Alphonse MacNeil will assume the duties of Commanding Officer of "H" Division.

Each of our three new Commanding Officers will be returning home to the province in which they were born and raised. Assistant Commissioner McGowan was born in Edmonton, Chief Superintendent Mirasty was born in La Ronge, and Chief Superintendent MacNeil was born in Glace Bay.

Each of these individuals brings a wealth and diversity of experience to their new positions. I know that we can count on each of our new COs for their outstanding leadership, relationship and consensus building, and strong contributions to our ongoing efforts to bring about positive change.

Change is an integral component of our everyday operations and critical to ensuring we continue to be the national police force Canadians expect and deserve. Today's announcement is one more important step in improving the way we do business. Further announcements with respect to the effective dates of the appointments of our new Commanding Officers, details of the implementation of our new structure and additional changes to our Senior Management Team will be made in the near future.

As we move forward on a broad range of initiatives aimed at achieving our Vision for Change for the RCMP to be an adaptive, accountable, trusted organization of fully engaged employees demonstrating outstanding leadership and providing world-class police services, I would like to once again recognize the dedication, professionalism and expertise of RCMP employees across the country in all categories and at all levels. It is only through your hard work, continued support, innovation and passion for improving the RCMP, that we will earn and maintain the trust and confidence of Canadians and the communities we serve. Thank you for your ongoing contributions to the RCMP and to Canada.

William J.S. Elliott Commissioner"