1999 Fredericton Convocation
Inkster, Norman
Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
Orator: Patterson, Stephen E.
Citation:
CONVOCATION, OCTOBER, 1999
NORMAN INKSTER
to be Doctor of Laws
Today, we at UNB are proud to welcome back one of our outstanding graduates. Norman Inkster, who retired in 1994 as Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, rose through the ranks to become the country's top policeman. His exemplary service and special achievements have won the special recognition of many others, and it is time for this University to join the chorus of praise.
Norman Inkster was born in Winnipeg. As a young man just out of high school, he joined the RCMP, took his basic training and began several years of general policing duties, first in Alberta. When he was transferred to "J" Division here in New Brunswick, he entered the Arts program at UNB while continuing in active service. In 1971, he graduated with a BA degree and the highest standing among all who took honours sociology that year. With degree in hand, he began his very rapid ascent up the ranks of senior administration. He served briefly at Headquarters in Ottawa and then, following specialized French language training, he was assigned as officer commanding the Montreal subdivision with special responsibility for policing that city's two major airports. In 1980, he was back in Ottawa as officer in charge of officer staffing and personnel. Two years later, he was made Commanding Officer of "A" Division, which includes Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, and in another two was back at Headquarters where he remained for the rest of his career. He served as Director of Organization and Personnel, as Deputy Commissioner in charge of Criminal Operations, and finally as Commissioner. For seven years, he managed a national police force with 21,000 employees, charged with federal law enforcement in such areas as drugs and economic crime, as well as provincial law enforcement in most provinces and 200 cities and towns.
One gets only a faint glimpse of Norman Inkster from looking at his climb up the ladder of success. He got ahead because he deserved to. He was always an innovator; always interested in how to do his job better, and how to reconcile the difficult task of law enforcement with the diverse interests and values of the Canadian people. He was among the first to see the potential of community-based policing, blending professionally trained officers with community volunteers to define community standards and enforcement practices. He recognized the special needs of Canada's aboriginal people, insisted upon racial equality in the force and sensitivity to the multicultural makeup of Canadian society. He argued that acceptance of diversity was not enough; but rather that we must see the advantage to be gained from full integration and inclusion. He warned against the dangers of racial intolerance in Canada, and insisted that the RCMP set the highest standards for itself.
Others soon recognized that Norman Inkster's commitment went well beyond lip-service. Nations scattered around the world turned to him for guidance and to the RCMP for assistance in training and administering their police forces. The International Police Organization, Interpol, chose him as their president. Canada's Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship presented him with an award for Excellence in Race Relations. The Blackfoot people of Western Canada made him an honorary chief. All saw in him much more than simply a man doing his job: this was a leader, an administrator with a social conscience, and a professional with the skill required to respond to the constant change that defines our country and the modern world beyond.
Norman Inkster retired from the RCMP after thirty-seven years of service but he did not stop working. As President of KPMG Investigation and Security Inc., based in Toronto, he heads a team of forensic accounting specialists with expertise in a wide range of law enforcement matters. Today, these many years after his graduation, we welcome him back to his alma mater. We honour him for his contributions to Canada and the world; for making our country safer; and for his vision of a bolder, more flexible, more humane society. UNB's Department of Sociology, and indeed the entire University, take enormous pride in his accomplishments, and perhaps too a bit of credit for shaping the life and career of an outstanding Canadian.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 3
NORMAN INKSTER
to be Doctor of Laws
Today, we at UNB are proud to welcome back one of our outstanding graduates. Norman Inkster, who retired in 1994 as Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, rose through the ranks to become the country's top policeman. His exemplary service and special achievements have won the special recognition of many others, and it is time for this University to join the chorus of praise.
Norman Inkster was born in Winnipeg. As a young man just out of high school, he joined the RCMP, took his basic training and began several years of general policing duties, first in Alberta. When he was transferred to "J" Division here in New Brunswick, he entered the Arts program at UNB while continuing in active service. In 1971, he graduated with a BA degree and the highest standing among all who took honours sociology that year. With degree in hand, he began his very rapid ascent up the ranks of senior administration. He served briefly at Headquarters in Ottawa and then, following specialized French language training, he was assigned as officer commanding the Montreal subdivision with special responsibility for policing that city's two major airports. In 1980, he was back in Ottawa as officer in charge of officer staffing and personnel. Two years later, he was made Commanding Officer of "A" Division, which includes Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, and in another two was back at Headquarters where he remained for the rest of his career. He served as Director of Organization and Personnel, as Deputy Commissioner in charge of Criminal Operations, and finally as Commissioner. For seven years, he managed a national police force with 21,000 employees, charged with federal law enforcement in such areas as drugs and economic crime, as well as provincial law enforcement in most provinces and 200 cities and towns.
One gets only a faint glimpse of Norman Inkster from looking at his climb up the ladder of success. He got ahead because he deserved to. He was always an innovator; always interested in how to do his job better, and how to reconcile the difficult task of law enforcement with the diverse interests and values of the Canadian people. He was among the first to see the potential of community-based policing, blending professionally trained officers with community volunteers to define community standards and enforcement practices. He recognized the special needs of Canada's aboriginal people, insisted upon racial equality in the force and sensitivity to the multicultural makeup of Canadian society. He argued that acceptance of diversity was not enough; but rather that we must see the advantage to be gained from full integration and inclusion. He warned against the dangers of racial intolerance in Canada, and insisted that the RCMP set the highest standards for itself.
Others soon recognized that Norman Inkster's commitment went well beyond lip-service. Nations scattered around the world turned to him for guidance and to the RCMP for assistance in training and administering their police forces. The International Police Organization, Interpol, chose him as their president. Canada's Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship presented him with an award for Excellence in Race Relations. The Blackfoot people of Western Canada made him an honorary chief. All saw in him much more than simply a man doing his job: this was a leader, an administrator with a social conscience, and a professional with the skill required to respond to the constant change that defines our country and the modern world beyond.
Norman Inkster retired from the RCMP after thirty-seven years of service but he did not stop working. As President of KPMG Investigation and Security Inc., based in Toronto, he heads a team of forensic accounting specialists with expertise in a wide range of law enforcement matters. Today, these many years after his graduation, we welcome him back to his alma mater. We honour him for his contributions to Canada and the world; for making our country safer; and for his vision of a bolder, more flexible, more humane society. UNB's Department of Sociology, and indeed the entire University, take enormous pride in his accomplishments, and perhaps too a bit of credit for shaping the life and career of an outstanding Canadian.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 3
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