Prime Minister announces Interim Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Deputy Commissioner Beverley A. Busson has been appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on an interim basis.  The appointment is effective December 16, 2006. 

“I am pleased that Deputy Commissioner Busson has agreed to take on this important and challenging role,” said the Prime Minister.  “It is crucial that the RCMP continues to have strong and stable leadership during this transition period, which Deputy Commissioner Busson will provide.”

Canada’s New Government is also committed to selecting a permanent commissioner of the highest caliber.  The process will be rigourous and will seek candidates from within and outside the RCMP.  Deputy Commissioner Busson looks forward to the challenge of leading the RCMP through this transition period, although she has indicated that she does not wish to be considered during the selection process.

Biographical notes are attached.

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DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BEVERLEY A. BUSSON, C.O.M., O.B.C.

Deputy Commissioner Beverley A. Busson was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  She joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1974.  After training at Depot Division, she was stationed at a number of Detachments within British Columbia where she served in general duty and as a plainclothes investigator, investigating frauds, drugs and serious crimes.  During this time, she studied Criminology at Simon Fraser University.

After graduating from the Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia, she was transferred to RCMP Headquarters, Ottawa.  She was promoted to Inspector in 1992 serving at both North Battleford, Saskatchewan and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Deputy Commissioner Busson was promoted to Superintendent in 1996.  In July 1997 she was transferred to Regina, Saskatchewan as the Chief Superintendent in Charge of Criminal Operations for the Province of Saskatchewan.  The following year, she became the Commanding Officer “F” Division, Province of Saskatchewan.

In May 1999, Beverley A. Busson headed British Columbia’s Organized Crime Agency until March 2000 when she became Assistant Commissioner, Commanding Officer “E” Division.  On December 6th, 2001, she was promoted to Deputy Commissioner for the Pacific Region while retaining her role as the Commanding Officer.

Deputy Commissioner Busson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University College of the Fraser Valley in June of 2004.  That same year she was invested as a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.  In June of 2006, she was honoured with the Order of British Columbia.