Does he get to wear a uniform?

Based on this, there exists a possibility that the next Chief of Defence Staff could be Mike Duffy.

William Elliott is the new commissioner of the RCMP, taking over as Canada's top police officer at a time when the Mounties are underfire from external critics and even within their own ranks.

Elliott, a senior bureaucrat in the Public Safety Department which oversees the RCMP, is the first civilian to take the reins of the RCMP since the force was created in 1873.

He's not and has never been a Mountie. In fact, he's never been a peace officer. He's not a cop.

In 1989, Elliott worked as an executive assistant to the office of the deputy prime minister. One year later, he became chief of staff in the same office.

Elliott also served as national security advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper from April 2005 until last spring.

So... that means he worked for Don Mazankowsi in Mulroney's government. Then he worked for Harper when Harper was in opposition. Starting to look like a Conservative Party hack to me. But he's not a cop.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, the minister responsible for the RCMP, shared the news in Ottawa that it would be someone from his own department that will now lead the Mounties'.

"William has incredible and extensive experience that suits him well for the position he is about to take on," Day said of the government's appointment. Day said there were many qualified candidates but no one has more experience in public safety and security than Elliott.

Day didn't mention whether Conservative Party membership was a requirement. "William" may be many things, but he's not a cop.

Day answered criticisms about appointing an outsider by saying though Elliott has never worked inside the RCMP, he is confident that his political experience will be an asset and that Elliott will defend the RCMP's independence from the government.

Day doesn't answer criticisms. He normally just lies. Elliott is a Conservative Party insider. And he's not a cop.

"I don't wear rose-coloured glasses and I know that some members of the RCMP have said they wanted a commissioner from inside," said Elliott. "However, I want to say to all members of the RCMP that we are all seeking the same goal. We want to create an organization that is effective, modern and efficient and that can provide the best possible police service to Canadians."

What Elliott doesn't wear, is red serge. He's not a cop.

Harper and the village idiot from Okanagan-Coquihalla have just taken a position which requires complete political neutrality and turned it into a partisan political appointment. Further, despite any other qualifications, Elliott has never been a cop. He has no idea what the front-line constable actually does because he's never been a cop.

One thing about selecting politically loyal operatives to fill senior positions is that almost any chicken farmer can fill a uniform.

Let's hope Elliott doesn't even try to put one on. He's not a cop.