The Canadian Press
OTTAWA–The top Mountie has decided the time has come for him to retire.
In a message to the force yesterday, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said he will leave at the end of June to focus on his family more after spending 32 years with the force, including the last five as commissioner.
He called it a profound honour and privilege to have served with the Mounties.
Two separate insiders with direct knowledge of Paulson’s decision, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the commissioner began planning his departure last October and that he was not pushed out the door.
The sources, who were not authorized to speak on the record due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Paulson felt it was the right time for him to take his leave.
“He chose his time,” said one.
Ultimately, Paulson’s tenure may be judged on his degree of success at rooting out what he called dark-hearted behaviour from the force upon assuming command in 2011.
In his statement yesterday, Paulson pointed to a multitude of issues the RCMP continues to wrestle with, including historical yet persistent claims of sexual harassment and lingering mental health concerns for employees.
He also talked about persistent safety and training issues stemming from the shooting deaths of three officers in 2014 at the hands of a gunman in Moncton.
The force is facing labour code charges as a result of the tragedy.
And there still is the outstanding issue of unionization, with a government bill on the subject sitting idle in the House of Commons after the Senate sent an amended version of the legislation back to MPs in June.
The plain-speaking Paulson said the tough list of issues will make for a busy and challenging spring before his June 30 departure.
“We will–as we do–persevere in order that we can keep delivering on our primary mission: keeping Canadians safe and secure,” he said in his message.
Paulson added the timing of the announcement should give the government enough time to find his replacement.
The government has not yet indicated how that process is expected to unfold.
