Regina, Saskatchewan – Aug. 13, 2008 – Today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) formally welcomed a new Commanding Officer to "Depot" Division. Assistant Commissioner Roger L. Brown assumed command from Assistant Commissioner Pierre Ménard during a ceremony held on the historical Parade Square of the RCMP Academy.
A proud Newfoundlander, Assistant Commissioner Brown joined the RCMP in 1980. Following training, he was assigned general duties in Quebec and later in Newfoundland and Labrador, where he served as an investigator in Federal Enforcement and performed general detachment and drug enforcement duties. He was transferred to the RCMP Academy, "Depot" Division, in 1993 where he served as an instructor until 1997. He then pursued his career at National Headquarters where he served as Program Development Officer and then as Officer-in-charge of the Executive/Diplomatic Protection Section. In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of chief superintendent and appointed to the position of Office-in-charge of Human Resources for Ontario and Quebec.
In early 2006, he was the Officer-in-charge of Protective Operations in the National Capital Region. Later that year, he was promoted to the rank of assistant commissioner.
"These are challenging times for the RCMP and policing in Canada. We need to listen. We need to be receptive to new ideas. We need to be responsive to the communities we serve. Change does not mean forgetting our deeps roots. It is about building on our traditions, maintaining the values we hold so dear and applying them to a continually changing environment. 'Depot' is the place to embrace positive change and that is my personal commitment," said Assistant Commissioner Brown in his first official address as Commanding Officer of "Depot" Division.
A number of dignitaries were in attendance including Commissioner William J.S. Elliott and other members of the RCMP; their Honours, the Honourable Gordon L. Barnhart, S.O.M., Ph.D., Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and Mrs. Naomi Barnhart; representatives from municipal, provincial and federal organizations; policing partners; friends and family. The ceremony included speeches, a March Past, a formal Parade of RCMP Members in red serge supported by troops of cadets, RCMP Veterans, the Cadet Band and the Regina Pipes and Drums.
"I would like to thank Assistant Commissioner Pierre Ménard for his excellent job as Commanding Officer of Depot," stated Commissioner William Elliott. " I would also like to congratulate Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown and wish him all the best as he takes on his very important new responsibilities of ensuring that the RCMP will continue to provide first class training to our cadets."
The previous Change of Command held at "Depot" Division was in May 2005, when Assistant Commissioner Pierre Ménard assumed command from Chief Superintendent Curt Tugnum.
Assistant Commissioner Pierre Ménard has assumed the role of Chief Learning Officer at RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa.
"Depot" Division is the RCMP's training division. It includes the RCMP Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan, and the Police Dog Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta. Both facilities are recognized worldwide for their excellent quality of training.
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For more information please contact:
Marie R. Patterson
Communications & Events Management Services
RCMP "Depot" Division
306-780-5707
306-537-1307 (cellular)
