Lachute native appointed to head Canada's national police force

After spending the last 25 years of his career as a police officer who dedicated himself to solving homicide cases, battling the Hells Angels biker gangs and taking on organized crime in British Columbia, Lachute native Robert Paulson began a new job on Monday.

Paulson became the boss of Canada's national police force and officially assumed the title of Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Directly following his graduation from Laurentian Regional High School in 1977, Paulson spent seven years working in the Canadian Armed Forces, where he is reported to have trained as a jet pilot.

In 1986, Paulson began his career as a police constable who quickly moved through the ranks, working in the unsolved homicide unit, aboriginal and community policing and investigating organized crime.

According to a statement issued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Paulson was chosen "following a rigorous and open selection process."

As a senior police leader with broad experiences across the RCMP's complex mandate, he brings with him a deep understanding of the challenges facing the force," said Harper. "Mr. Paulson will provide the leadership necessary to strengthen our national police force now and into the future".

Paulson is the 23rd commissioner of the RCMP.