The new RCMP commanding officer in Manitoba says he will march side-by-side with the organizer of the Pride march in Steinbach July 9th. D-Division Commander Scott Kolody adds he has also directed his officers to provide all the neccesary resources to make sure participants can walk safely in the event. He says the parade is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Kolody made the remarks in a tweet yesterday after he was officially appointed to the post.

RCMP also issued Kolody's biography:

Scott Kolody, Commanding Officer of the Manitoba RCMP, has an extensive operational policing background. He has served in National Headquarters, Ottawa, and in the Provinces of Alberta and Manitoba. He was promoted to Commanding Officer of D Division in June of 2016.

From January 2012 until June 2016, he held the position of Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations for the Manitoba RCMP. He previously held the positions of District Commander of the RCMP Manitoba East District, Officer in Charge of Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing for Manitoba, and Officer in Charge of the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime Section also in Manitoba. His considerable experience in drug enforcement and money laundering has qualified him as an expert witness in drug trafficking and proceeds of crime in several provinces throughout Canada.

He is a National Critical Incident Commander and Crisis/Hostage/Barricaded Persons Negotiator. He is the recipient of many awards including the Manitoba Award of Excellence in Policing, a Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery, and in September 2014, he was appointed the Order of the Merit of Police Forces for outstanding contributions to Canadian Policing and the RCMP.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Business Administration from the University of Windsor, Ontario and graduated from the Schulich School of Business, Masters in Project Management and the Executive Development programs at Queen’s University School of Business and the Asper School of Business in Manitoba.

Scott Kolody was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. He is married to Terri and they have three children.