Former CSIS boss to conduct "workplace assessment" of the RCMP

Douglas Quan, Postmedia News July 30, 2010 12:02 PM

Reid Morden, former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and deputy minister of foreign affairs, has been appointed to oversee a "workplace assessment" of the RCMP after internal conflicts among the agency's top brass became public this week. In a statement, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Friday that Morden brings "decades of experience and demonstrated capacity to manage conflict within complex environments." "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. Several senior Mounties, including deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, reportedly filed complaints about Commissioner William Elliott recently. Elliott, a former senior bureaucrat, became the first civilian to lead the force three years ago. Ron Lewis, a retired Mountie who has spoken to some of the complainants, has said senior Mounties are upset Elliott has been slow to bring about reforms within the agency and that he doesn't treat them with respect or compassion. Elliott has turned down repeated interview requests. But in a memo sent to the entire force this week, Elliott and other senior managers said they looked forward to the assessment and planned to co-operate "fully and with candour."