The Manitoba RCMP has a new commander. While Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill took the post of Commanding Officer in July 2022, officers, employees, and special guests from across the province and nation-wide recently welcomed him in a traditional RCMP Change of Command ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg.
The ceremony is an RCMP tradition that marks the symbolic handover of authority from the outgoing Commanding Officer to the new leader of the Force in the province. The ceremony today involved RCMP Pipes and Drums, a ceremonial troop, and a flag party. There was a parchment signing and the transfer of the Divisional ensign from outgoing Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy to the new Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki oversaw the ceremony.
“While we are sad to see Assistant Commissioner MacLatchy go, she is leaving the Province of Manitoba in very good hands,” said Brenda Lucki, Commissioner of the RCMP. “Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill brings a breadth of experience to the role. He has Manitoba roots that tie him firmly to the people of this province. He is committed to building relationships, employee wellness, and rural crime reduction, and I know he will tackle these issues with the same enthusiasm he brings to everything involving public safety.”
“I am humbled and excited to take on the role of Commanding Officer,” said Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill. “I commit to continue to learn from the lived experiences of diverse RCMP employees and the diverse communities we serve to make sure we are having the necessary discussions and are moving in the right direction. We are living and policing in challenging times, but I am optimistic about our future. I think the more we work together as people, as communities, the better we will be able to forge a path forward.”
The Role of Divisional Commanding Officer:
The title of Commanding Officer is reserved specifically for the regular member in charge of an RCMP division. The individual’s rank does not necessarily reflect their status as Commanding Officer – the RCMP has Commanding Officers who are Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Chief Superintendents. The Commanding Officer’s rank is determined by the individual’s level of responsibility, the territory covered by the division and the number of employees under their command.
