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New Commanding Officer for “K” Division and New Regional Deputy for RCMP North West Region

Edmonton, October 5, 2007 – Today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) welcomed a new Commanding Officer to “K” Division and a new Regional Deputy for RCMP North West Region (NWR).

In a ceremony held this morning at the Jefferson Armouries, Deputy Commissioner Rod Knecht assumed command from Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Bill Sweeney.

A number of dignitaries and invited guests were in attendance, including RCMP Commissioner William Elliott; members from municipal, provincial and federal organizations; policing partners and members; RCMP employees and family members.

Deputy Commissioner Rod Knecht joined the RCMP in 1977. Over the course of his 30 years of service, Deputy Commissioner Knecht has held postings in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta. Posted in Saskatchewan until 1992, he was transferred to Ontario in 1993 where he was posted to various federal units. He was commissioned to the rank of Inspector in 1997 and became the Officer-in-Charge of the Blood Task Force (Krever Commission) for a period of five years. In 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and assumed command of Toronto West Detachment and Toronto Drug Section. In this capacity he was designated the Officer-in-Charge of Risk Management for the Greater Toronto Area post-9/11. In 2003, he transferred to Alberta and was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent and became the Officer-in-Charge of Criminal Operations. As the second-in-command for RCMP operations in Alberta, he facilitated intelligence-led policing within a municipal, provincial and federal policing environment for the full complement of RCMP members posted within Alberta. In 2006, Deputy Commissioner Knecht was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner and continued his duties as the “K” Division Criminal Operations Officer.

“It is my intention to continue building on the work done by Deputy Commissioner Sweeney,” said Deputy Commissioner Rod Knecht. “Albertans have come to expect excellent service and performance from the RCMP and my goal is to continue to meet and exceed these expectations through intelligence-led policing and dedication to front-line operations.”

With 33 years of service, Deputy Commissioner Bill Sweeney has transferred to RCMP National Headquarters in Ottawa, where he is serving as a Special Assistant to Commissioner William Elliott.

“It has been an honour and privilege to serve the people of Alberta,” said Deputy Commissioner Bill Sweeney. “I continue to be impressed with the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of the men and women of the RCMP in Alberta. I am confident that, in the coming years, “K” Division will experience many significant accomplishments under the command of Deputy Commissioner Knecht.”

The last public Change of Command Ceremony in “K” Division was held in 2001, when Commanding Officer Bill Sweeney, at that time an Assistant Commissioner, assumed command from Assistant Commissioner Don McDermid.

Throughout “K” Division, the RCMP, as a national, provincial and municipal police service, is committed to the enforcement of the Criminal Code and the enforcement of federal, provincial and municipal statutes and to working with partners to fulfill our dedication and commitment to ensuring Safe Homes and Safe Communities for all Albertans.

RCMP “K” Division is comprised of 105 detachments with approximately 3,000 employees including regular members, civilian members and members of the public service.

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Cpl. Wayne OAKES
Media Relations Officer
RCMP “K” Division
Phone: 780-412-5260