OTTAWA — As Brenda Lucki retires from her role as commissioner of the RCMP, Canada’s public safety minister found her temporary replacement by way of the force’s deputy commissioner, the federal government announced Friday.
Marco Mendicino says Mike Duheme assumed the role of interim commissioner, which began on March 18. He said in a statement that he looks forward to working with Duheme.
“I have every confidence that his extensive experience in policing across the country and around the world has prepared him well to lead our national police force,” said Mendicino in a press release.
Federal officials say Duheme’s career has stretched over three decades and four provinces. He began as a general duty investigator in Nova Scotia and has since been with the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, the Parliamentary Protective Service and the RCMP’s National Division in Ottawa.
He also participated in overseas peacekeeping missions and was a VIP personal protection officer.
Ottawa says Duheme will serve as interim commissioner until the Mounties appoint a permanent replacement. Details about that process will be announced in due course.
Lucki officially retired as RCMP Commissioner Friday after a nearly 40-year career with the RCMP, including five years as commissioner. Appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in April 2018, she was the first woman to serve as a permanent commissioner.
“This was not an easy decision as I love the RCMP and have loved being the 24th Commissioner,” she said in a statement issued in February announcing her retirement.
“I am so incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to lead this historic organization and witness first hand the tremendous work being done each and every day by all employees from coast to coast to coast and internationally.”
Lucki’s retirement came on the heels of allegations stemming from June 2022, claiming she pressured investigators of the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting to release information about the weapons used during the shooting to allegedly advance proposed federal gun laws.
“She has dedicated her life to keeping Canadians safe, and we thank her,” said Mendicino.