The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice:

Minister Welcomes New Leaders of RCMP

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand today and welcome two individuals who have been newly appointed to lead the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in our province. I offer a very warm welcome to the new Commanding Officer of the RCMP B Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Chief Superintendent Tracy Hardy. Chief Superintendent Hardy comes to this province with a wealth of experience and will take over command in the very near future.

Chief Superintendent Hardy has served extensively throughout Canada including rural and northern areas which is a tremendous asset for leading the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador. Chief Superintendent Hardy brings with her a strong operational background and a commitment to integrating policing with community involvement. I am also proud to announce that she is the first woman to lead the RCMP in our province. Chief Superintendent Hardy takes over from Assistant Commissioner Bill Smith who retired in January and who has now accepted a position in Nova Scotia. Over his tenure as Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Smith showed great dedication and leadership to the RCMP. His love of this province was also very evident in everything he did. I wish him all the best in his new role.

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP has also appointed a new second in command and Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations. Superintendent Andrew Boland is originally from Newfoundland and Labrador and also has an extensive background in operational and administrative policing with the RCMP in various areas of the country. We are pleased to have Superintendent Boland with us and I also want to thank him for the work he has done as Acting Commanding Officer since Assistant Commissioner Smith’s retirement.

As Minister of Justice, I was proud to announce on Tuesday that the Provincial Government has signed a new 20-year agreement for the continued delivery of RCMP services in Newfoundland and Labrador. The timing of this new agreement along with the appointments of Chief Superintendent Hardy and Superintendent Boland is great news for the citizens of this province and the continued delivery of quality policing in Newfoundland and Labrador. The RCMP has enjoyed over 60 years of policing in this province and we look forward to many more.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Honourable members to join me as I welcome and congratulate Chief Superintendent Hardy and Superintendent Boland on their new appointments to B Division. I am very much looking forward to working with them in their new roles.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

2012 03 29             1:45 p.m.