Mike Cabana

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	To oppose or discuss a nomination, please go to CZ:Proposed for deletion and follow the instructions. For the monthly nomination lists, see Category:Articles for deletion. Mike Cabana (alternately Michel Cabana) is a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer who is most well-known for his role at the centre of the controversy over the extraordinary rendition of Maher Arar by American security officials. Prior to being assigned to count-terrorism Cabana investigated money-laundering. Cabana's subsequent rapid promotion to the RCMP's senior ranks triggered comment. Subsequently Cabana has held senior posts concerned with border security and international liaison. In January 2012 Cabana was appointed the RCMP's Deputy Commissioner for Federal Policing. Early RCMP career Cabana entered the RCMP and underwent its basic training in 1981. His first post was in Hillsborough, New Brunswick. Proceeds of Crime investigator Cabana served as an Inspector, assigned to the Integrated Proceeds of Crime section, in Ottawa. His office investigated criminal money laundering. Role in the murder of Sean Simmons According to the National Post Cabana had been a frequent handler for an informant named Paul Derry, who told him details about the up-coming assassination of Sean Simmons. The assassination was paid for by a Hell's Angels chapter president, who suspected Simmons had an affair with one of his mistresses. The National Post reported that RCMP officers had Simmons under surveillance, at the time of the murder, but took no steps to prevent it. The National Post quoted memos from Cabana, released when the conviction of Steven Gareau, the man initially believed to be the killer, was overturned, which read, in part: “Should this matter proceed to court, this information will likely be disclosed, thereby tarnishing the force’s reputation, not to mention any potential civil liability that might flow from this situation.” Derry, who has been assigned a new identity under a witness protection program, wrote a book about the killing. Role in the extraordinary rendition of Maher Arar Following al-Qaeda's attacks on September 11, 2001, Cabana was then assigned to counterterrorism duties, where he was one of the officers responsible for sharing RCMP files with United States security officials. This sharing lead to US security officials capturing Maher Arar, Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou El-Maati, Canadian citizens of Syrian descent. Through a process the US calls extraordinary rendition all three men were sent to Syria, which tortured the men over associations with other individuals who were suspected terrorists. After judicial inquiries in Canada determined none of these men had a genuine association with terrorism the Canadian government apologized to all three men, and offered them multi-million dollar compensation packages. As the controversy over his rendition became more public American officials, including United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State Colin Powell and United States Attorney General|Attorney General John Ashcroft claimed that American officials rendered Arar to Syria because they were told by Canadian officials that Canada didn't want him back. Cabana was called to testify before the inquiry several times. Cabana's account has differed from that of a more senior colleague, Deputy Commissioner Garry Loeppky. Cabana's version is that the RCMP had been directed to cooperate more fully with American security officials, following the terrorist attacks of late 2001, going so far as to drop the assurances they would normally have extracted from the Americans that information provided to them was for background, and would not result in arrest, or harassment. Cabana's more senior colleague's version was that increased cooperation would stop short of requiring the assurances which would protect Canadians who fell into American hands. Director general of border security Cabana was promoted to be responsible for border security with the USA in 2006. In March 2006 Cabana, described by Military.com as the RCMP's "Director General of border security", said the Canadian government was working to eliminate "impediments" to working more closely with US security officials. According to Military.com his rank at that time was Chief Superintendent. In his role as head of border security Cabana was quoted on the dangers posed by illegally imported counterfeit good. He was also quoted explaining the special problems foreign organized crime gangs posed for Canadian border communities. Appointed Assistant Commissioner By 2008 Cabana had been appointed one of the RCMP's Assistant Commissioners. Conflict with Commissioner William Elliott In November 2007 William Elliott was appointed the first RCMP Commissioner who had not been promoted from within the ranks of the RCMP. Elliott was a career civil servant, who, according to the Globe and Mail had been brought in by the Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada|government "to reshape the force after years of scandal and controversy." He clashed with his senior staff, including Cabana. December 2011 visit to Afghanistan In December 2011 Cabana lead a delegation of senior Canadian police officers to Afghanistan to observe Canadian Police officers helping to train Afghanistan's Police officers. Awards On June 8, 2011 Cabana and 14 other RCMP officers were invested into Canada's Order of Merit of the Police Forces. References Category:Police officers