News Online: New leader for RCMP K Division

Published online at GlobalTVEdmonton.com on February 10, 2011.


Linda Hoang, Global News: Thursday, February 10, 2011

New leader for RCMP K Division

Alberta RCMP have a new leader after a change of command ceremony took place on Thursday.

Assistant Commissioner Dale McGowan has officially taken command of Alberta’s K Division after a ceremony at the Jefferson Armoury on 109th Street.

McGowan calls the promotion a “pinnacle” point of his career.

“I’m thankful for the confidence and the trust that has been endorsed in me. I really look forward to the challenges,” he said.

“I hope that the leadership attributes that I have will serve the men and women of this force, this division well and the benefactors of that will be the people in Alberta.”

Born and raised in Edmonton, McGowan has served more than three decades in the RCMP.

He was most recently the commanding officer of F Division in Saskatchewan.

McGowan is taking over from outgoing K Division commander Senior Deupty Commissioner Rod Knecht.

Knecht had been promoted to Ottawa and is acting as the Commisioner’s right-hand man.

Last week, RCMP Commissioner William Elliot announecd he would be stepping down this summer.

There’s been some talk since that Knecht might be up to replace Elliot.

“Rod Knecht is a very seasoned and well experienced officer offering tremendous leadership at a national level. I would have to say he’s among a number of senior leaders in the force who will be seriously considered for the job,” Elliot said.

The federal government has the final say on who will be the next RCMP Commissioner.

Thursday’s change of command ceremony is one of three taking place within the RCMP this week.

A ceremony took place in Saskatchewan on Wednesday and another is planned in B.C. for Friday.

Click here to read the article on the Global Edmonton website.

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