Deputy Commissioner Raf Souccar Reflects on the Life and Career of Chief Superintendent Doug Coates

C/Supt Douglas Coates

Doug started his RCMP career in Alberta 1979. He quickly made his mark as a competent and capable investigator. His interests led him to Ottawa where he became part of an elite emergency response team.

It was after this that his interests turned to international policing. In 1994, he deployed on his first United Nations mission to Haiti as a peacekeeper . It was in this work that his compassion for the people of Haiti first surfaced. This led him back to Haiti on three separate UN missions.

For the past 15 years Doug had focused his energy and talents working in international policing and peace operations in an effort to bring stability and peace to Haiti. His natural leadership, commitment, energy and engaging personality inspired many to work tirelessly beside him in an effort to help those less fortunate.

He was a gifted teacher who applied his talents to helping others learn to help themselves. He did this with humility and with respect for everyone he came into contact with. His genuine desire to serve others and his focus on doing the right thing earned Doug the trust and respect of all his Canadian and international police colleagues and the people of Haiti he had dedicated himself to help.

Doug always closed his meetings and correspondence with the same phrase: “Working together in the service of peace.” He was a great person trying to do great things in a country in great need of help.

He died doing just that. We will miss him.

D/Commr Raf Souccar