The Saskatchewan RCMP has a new commanding officer.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Fisher was welcomed into his new role on May 9 during a traditional ceremony held at the RCMP Academy in Regina. He is the 34th commanding officer for the organization in the province.
The formal change of command ceremony involved RCMP Pipes and Drums, ceremonial uniformed and civilian troops, a flag party, and the RCMP national eagle staff, according to an RCMP news release. The handover of command of the Saskatchewan RCMP was symbolized with a parchment signing and the transfer of the divisional ensign from outgoing commanding officer, Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki.
“I am extremely humbled and honoured to be here today, in this historic Drill Hall, to take command of F Division and RCMP policing in the province of Saskatchewan,” said Fisher. “I feel fortunate to be here in Saskatchewan at this time. We enjoy strong support from government, and already, I have seen their interest in supporting innovation and modernization efforts both on the operational and administrative fronts.”
This also goes for the RCMP’s relationships with its main partners, he continued, including the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Métis Nation.
“The same goes for our relationships with key partners at SARM, SUMA, FSIN, and the Metis Nation,” he added. “Their willingness to embrace change and accept some of the risk that comes with innovation makes it a great environment to work and lead in.”
Fisher is a 25-year veteran who has served in various RCMP detachment command functions. In 2007, he was seconded to the criminal justice reform secretariat for British Columbia as the RCMP liaison officer to the provincial government. In 2011, he was appointed chief of the Oak Bay Police Department.
In 2014, Fisher assumed the role of officer in charge of Nanaimo Detachment, the largest RCMP detachment on Vancouver Island. In 2016, he transferred to D Division as the criminal operations officer — core policing where he had oversight of provincial detachment policing, support services, community and Aboriginal policing, major crime unit, traffic services and the provincial reviewers.
Fisher took official command as F Division’s commanding officer on Dec. 5, 2018 and is the 34th commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP.
“Time and time again, Assistant Commissioner Mark Fisher has proven to be a respected, accountable leader,” said Brenda Lucki, commissioner of the RCMP, in the news release. “As an organization, our priority is to put our people first, and Mark is already doing just that in his new role as commanding cfficer of Saskatchewan. I'm proud to be working alongside him to modernize our RCMP.”
The change of command ceremony provides an opportunity for the divisional membership of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as the community at large, to bid farewell to their commanding officer. It also allows for the welcoming of a new commanding officer for the Division.
