Raf Souccar OOM (born 1956 or 1957) is a Canadian former deputy police commissioner who lead the anti-drugs work of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. After leaving the police force, Souccar launched and led a medical cannabis company.
Raf Souccar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1956 or 1957 |
| Citizenship | Canada |
| Occupation | Deputy Commissioner (retired) |
| Employer | Royal Canadian Mounted Police |
| Organization | Canadian Air Transport Security Authority |
| Honours | Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces |
Souccar has worked on the board of directors of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and advocates for better services for people who used opioids.
Career
editPolice career
editSouccar became a police officer in 1978[1] and in 2008[2] became the deputy commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),[3] based in Ottawa.[4] During his 35-year police career, Souccar worked as an undercover drug officer,[5] and became the director-general of the police forces drugs and organized crime section.[6] Souccar served on the Prime Minister's marijuana legalization task force.[3] In 2011, after successfully collaborating with Insite on their safe drug injection site, Souccar declined to publicly support the program in a press release.[4]
A photograph of Souccar's silhouette is featured in the emblem that appears on all RCMP police cars[1] and he was awarded the Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by Canada's Governor General Michaëlle Jean[2] on January 9, 2008.[7]
Souccar was put on leave from the police in 2011 after accusing his supervisor, civilian commissioner Bill Elliott, of bullying and disrespectful behaviour.[1]
Medical cannabis career
editSouccar launched Aleafia Total Health Network a medical cannabis business, with former Ontario Provincial Police commissioner and politician Julian Fantino on November 14, 2017, eight months prior to the legalisation of recreational cannabis in Canada.[3] Their business was located in a shopping mall in Vaughan.[3] Souccar was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of the company.[5] After launching the cannabis business, politician Don Davies accused Souccar of having a conflict of interest.[3]
During his time as CEO, Souccar oversaw the acquisition of Emblem Corporation, a cannabis producer.[8] Souccar resigned from his role at the company on May 15, 2020.[8]
Airport security
editIn 2017, Souccar was on the board of directors of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.[9]
Advocacy and personal life
editSouccar has advocated that people addicted to opiates should be provided with housing, medical-grade heroin, and mental health services.[10]
Souccar was aged 54 in 2011.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "'Someone had to stand up' to RCMP commissioner, Mountie says". thestar.com. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ a b "Travers: Failed experiment dooms RCMP boss". thestar.com. 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ a b c d e McGillivray, Kate (14 Nov 2017). "Former police chief who once said legalizing pot is like legalizing murder launching weed-related company". CBC.
- ^ a b Geddes, John (2010-08-20). "RCMP and the truth about safe injection sites". Macleans.ca. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ a b Freeze, Colin (2017-09-22). "Former top cops Fantino, Souccar launch marijuana-services business". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ "News Clips" (PDF). Blue Line Magazine (April 27-28): 21. April 2004.
- ^ General, Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Assistant Commissioner Raf Souccar". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ a b "Fantino resigns from Aleafia Health board alongside former RCMP commissioner". thestar.com. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ "Search begins for new top Mountie as RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson says he'll retire in June". thestar.com. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ Bains, Camille (2016-12-14). "Give addicts medical-grade heroin to curb deaths, former Mountie says". British Columbia. Retrieved 2022-11-12.