William J.S. Elliott
Encyclopedia
William John Shannon Elliott, COM
, QC
, known commonly as Bill Elliott, is a career civil servant with the Government of Canada
and served as the first civillian Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
from July 16, 2007 to November 20, 2011. He currently serves as the Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations.
in 1976 and a Bachelor’s degree in Common Law
in 1979, both from the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1981 and remains a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada as a non-practicing lawyer.
’s office as a Legal Advisor and Special Assistant and then Executive Assistant in 1989. In 1990, Elliott was promoted to Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister Don Mazankowski
in the Mulroney
government, a position he held until 1992.
and was based at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Legal Services Unit. In 1994, he was promoted to Senior General Counsel and Head of Legal Services, Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
and held the authority of an Assistant Deputy Minister.
in 2003, responsible for the Security and Intelligence Secretariat of the Privy Council Office
.
The secretariat provides support and secretariat services to the Cabinet Committee for Foreign Affairs and Security (formerly the Cabinet Committee on Security, Public Health and Emergencies), in addition to the Advisory Council on National Security who provides confidential expert advice to the Government through the National Security Advisor on issues related to national security.
In his role, Elliott supported the National Security Advisor and as Assistant Secretary, was responsible for the support and secretariat services provided to Cabinet Committees and Ministers of the Crown.
In April 2005, Elliott was appointed by the prime minister, Paul Martin
, National Security Advisor
to the Prime Minister of Canada
.
appointed Elliott the Associate Deputy Minister of Public Safety Canada, along side Deputy Minister of Public Safety, Suzanne Hurtubise. In his role, Elliott assumed responsibility for several key branches within the Department, including the Policing, Law Enforcement and Interoperability Branch; and, the Emergency Management and National Security Branch.
, making him the first commissioner that had not previously served in the police or military. He formally assumed command on July 16, 2007.
His appointment came after the resignation of Giuliano Zaccardelli
, who left the force rocked by scandal and in crisis. Reaction to Elliott's appointment was mixed. Public perceptions are that the force's problems are rooted in its institutional culture and many felt that someone from outside the Canadian policing milieu and "free of loyalties" was necessary to effect necessary change. Many on the force, however, believe that one of their own, someone "who understands the force's unique culture and structure was needed to clean up the organization." On February 4th, 2011 the Prime Minister's Office announced that Elliot would step down as commissioner in the summer of 2011.
Elliott's responsibilities will include working to facilitate and enhance co-operation between INTERPOL and the United Nations and its agencies on matters of terrorism, transnational organized crime and international police cooperation. As head of INTERPOL's UN office, the Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations assists both organizations to develop key INTERPOL-UN partnerships to combat international crime and works with senior officials at the UN to identify resource-sharing opportunities.
honours a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Police Services, and recognizes their commitment to this country. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing and community development. As Commissioner of the RCMP, Elliott holds the Commission of Principal Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. Upon leaving the RCMP, Elliott will continue to be a Commander of the Order.
Order of Merit of the Police Forces
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces is an honour for merit that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the only such fellowship reserved only for members of Canada's various police forces...
, QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, known commonly as Bill Elliott, is a career civil servant with the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
and served as the first civillian Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
from July 16, 2007 to November 20, 2011. He currently serves as the Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations.
Early life
Elliott received a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1976 and a Bachelor’s degree in Common Law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
in 1979, both from the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1981 and remains a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada as a non-practicing lawyer.
Career
Elliott started his professional career in 1981 as a lawyer in a private law practice. In 1988, he left private practice to join the Deputy Prime Minister of CanadaDeputy Prime Minister of Canada
The Deputy Prime Minister of Canada is an honorary position in the cabinet, conferred at the discretion of the prime minister. There is currently, , no deputy prime minister....
’s office as a Legal Advisor and Special Assistant and then Executive Assistant in 1989. In 1990, Elliott was promoted to Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister Don Mazankowski
Don Mazankowski
Donald Frank "Don" Mazankowski, PC, OC, AOE is a Canadian politician who served as a cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney. He was also Deputy Prime Minister under Mulroney....
in the Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
government, a position he held until 1992.
Department of Justice, Canada
In 1992, Elliott joined the Public Service of Canada as Senior Counsel/Manager, Comprehensive Claims and Northern Affairs for the Department of JusticeDepartment of Justice (Canada)
The purpose of the Department of Justice is to ensure that the Canadian justice system is fair, accessible and efficient. The Department also represents the Canadian government in legal matters...
and was based at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Legal Services Unit. In 1994, he was promoted to Senior General Counsel and Head of Legal Services, Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Canadian Coast Guard
In 1998, Elliott was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Canadian Coast GuardCanadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard is the coast guard of Canada. It is a federal agency responsible for providing maritime search and rescue , aids to navigation, marine pollution response, marine radio, and icebreaking...
and held the authority of an Assistant Deputy Minister.
Transport Canada
From 2000 to 2003, Elliott was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, at Transport Canada. The Safety and Security Branch of Transport Canada is responsible for the development and enforcement of regulations and national standards, as well as for the implementation of monitoring, testing, and inspections, which contribute to safety and security in the aviation, marine, rail and road modes of transport.Her Majesty’s Privy Council Office for Canada
Mr. Elliott was appointed Assistant Secretary to the CabinetCabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
in 2003, responsible for the Security and Intelligence Secretariat of the Privy Council Office
Privy Council Office (Canada)
In Canada the Privy Council Office is the secretariat of the federal cabinet, providing officially non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister and leadership, coordination, and support to the departments and agencies of the government...
.
The secretariat provides support and secretariat services to the Cabinet Committee for Foreign Affairs and Security (formerly the Cabinet Committee on Security, Public Health and Emergencies), in addition to the Advisory Council on National Security who provides confidential expert advice to the Government through the National Security Advisor on issues related to national security.
In his role, Elliott supported the National Security Advisor and as Assistant Secretary, was responsible for the support and secretariat services provided to Cabinet Committees and Ministers of the Crown.
In April 2005, Elliott was appointed by the prime minister, Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
, National Security Advisor
National Security Advisor (Canada)
The National Security Advisor is an associate secretary in the Privy Council Office responsible for Security and Intelligence...
to the Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
.
Public Safety Canada
On May 1, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen HarperStephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
appointed Elliott the Associate Deputy Minister of Public Safety Canada, along side Deputy Minister of Public Safety, Suzanne Hurtubise. In his role, Elliott assumed responsibility for several key branches within the Department, including the Policing, Law Enforcement and Interoperability Branch; and, the Emergency Management and National Security Branch.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Elliott was announced as the 22nd Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on 6 July 2007, by Prime Minister Stephen HarperStephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, making him the first commissioner that had not previously served in the police or military. He formally assumed command on July 16, 2007.
His appointment came after the resignation of Giuliano Zaccardelli
Giuliano Zaccardelli
Giuliano Zaccardelli, COM is a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer who was the Commissioner of the RCMP from 2 September 2000 to 15 December 2006. Zaccardelli's departure from the RCMP was linked to the force's involvement in the Maher Arar Affair...
, who left the force rocked by scandal and in crisis. Reaction to Elliott's appointment was mixed. Public perceptions are that the force's problems are rooted in its institutional culture and many felt that someone from outside the Canadian policing milieu and "free of loyalties" was necessary to effect necessary change. Many on the force, however, believe that one of their own, someone "who understands the force's unique culture and structure was needed to clean up the organization." On February 4th, 2011 the Prime Minister's Office announced that Elliot would step down as commissioner in the summer of 2011.
INTERPOL
On August 18, 2011, the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Ronald K. Noble, announced that Elliott will be appointed to a three-year term as Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations, effective November 21, 2011. He previously served as a Delegate for the America's with INTERPOL's Executive Committee.Elliott's responsibilities will include working to facilitate and enhance co-operation between INTERPOL and the United Nations and its agencies on matters of terrorism, transnational organized crime and international police cooperation. As head of INTERPOL's UN office, the Special Representative of INTERPOL to the United Nations assists both organizations to develop key INTERPOL-UN partnerships to combat international crime and works with senior officials at the UN to identify resource-sharing opportunities.
Order of Merit of the Police Forces
The Order of Merit of the Police ForcesOrder of Merit of the Police Forces
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces is an honour for merit that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the only such fellowship reserved only for members of Canada's various police forces...
honours a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Police Services, and recognizes their commitment to this country. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing and community development. As Commissioner of the RCMP, Elliott holds the Commission of Principal Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. Upon leaving the RCMP, Elliott will continue to be a Commander of the Order.