New Edmonton Police Chief: Transcript of Bio for Rod Knecht

Roderick (Rod) Knecht is currently the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), posted at National Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario.

He is ranked as the most senior uniformed police officer in the RCMP. In this role, Rod Knecht is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of all components of the RCMP, including managing a budget of $4.7 Billion and 31,000 employees.

Rod Knecht’s strategic leadership has been instrumental to the transformation of the RCMP. Upon arriving in Ottawa in 2010, he took steps to increase the regional authority of Commanding Officers in 14 Divisions across Canada. This change has led the RCMP in provinces, territories and municipalities to be more responsive and accountable to community-driven policing priorities.

Prior to this prestigious appointment, Rod Knecht was responsible for the RCMP in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. As the Deputy Commissioner – North West Region and Commanding Officer “K” Division in Edmonton, Alberta, he was responsible for managing the operations of 108 detachments and the delivery of community policing throughout the North West Region.

Rod Knecht is a strong advocate for integrated policing. While stationed in Alberta, he was instrumental in supporting the development and inception of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT). Both inter-agency teams are comprised of police services from across Alberta, including the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP.

Over the course of his 34-year policing career, Rod Knecht has spent the vast majority of time working in an operational capacity. He has significant expertise in serious crimes, drug enforcement, undercover investigations, uniform duties, and intelligence gathering.

One of his proudest achievements was the successful conclusion of the Blood Task Force (Krever Commission); a high-profile, international investigation into the blood system in Canada and the creation of a national victim service liaison program for victims of tainted blood (HIV/Hepatitis C).

While Rod Knecht has been relocated 15 times to communities throughout Canada, he considers Edmonton to be his home. He looks forward to settling down in the city where he and his family have grown strong roots.

Biography provided by the Edmonton Police Commission.