CBC NEWS Friday, February 4, 2011 | 11:51 AM PT
William Elliott has told the government he will step down as commissioner of the RCMP in the summer, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Friday. Elliott will continue to serve as commissioner pending his next assignment, which has yet to be announced, the PMO said. He has been commissioner since July 2007. News of Elliott's departure took at least some in the Mounties by surprise. The RCMP's communications office was unaware of the news when contacted on Friday, the CBC's Alison Crawford reported. Elliot has faced some controversy during his time in the job, with his management style criticized by senior officers and suggestions that he needed anger-management training. Elliott reorganized his office following the criticism, including demoting then-deputy commissioner Raf Souccar, who was among the commissioner's critics. In a statement to RCMP, Elliott called it an "honour" to lead the police force, adding that it was time for him to move on to something new. "As you are aware, there have been an unprecedented number of changes to our senior management team over the last few months," he said "I am confident that the new team is very strong and well positioned to lead the force in continuing to provide high quality services to Canadians and advancing our ongoing efforts to bring about positive change in the RCMP," he said. Elliott was the first civilian appointed to the position, following an extensive legal and civil service career. His previous positions included national security adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and associate deputy minister of public safety.
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