New commanding officer takes charge in Manitoba

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This article was published 27/07/2022 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba RCMP have a new top cop.

Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill became the new commanding officer of D Division Wednesday, directing a force of 1,000 officers and 500 civilian employees in 80 detachments and the Winnipeg headquarters.

Most recently, Hill was the chief superintendent of criminal operations in Manitoba, which meant he was in charge of day-to-day RCMP policing.

In his career with the federal police force, which began in 1997 as a constable in Morris, he has worked as an assistant district officer and detachment commander in Alberta, the administration and personnel officer in Iqaluit, an investigator and supervisor with the Winnipeg drug section, and general duty Mountie in Island Lake.

Hill, whose parents were in the Air Force, grew up across Canada, including in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta and Manitoba. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces and served as a medic.

Hill has a master’s degree in international police leadership from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, Australia, and he studied in the executive development in policing program at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.

He’s slated to speak to the media about his new role on Tuesday.

Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen congratulated Hill in a statement Thursday.

“His previous experience in Manitoba and throughout Canada will serve Mr. Hill well as he offers leadership to the RCMP, confidence to Manitobans and skill to the many challenges that come with policing. We are grateful for his continued service and the dedication of all those serving in the RCMP in Manitoba and Canada,” Goertzen said.

RCMP assistant commissioner Jane MacLatchy retired in June after helming the force for three years.

—Staff