A Canadian in Command: Guiding UN Police in Haiti

C/Supt. Tardif in front of the old MINUSTAH headquarters

By Martine Courage

It would seem that Marc Tardif has been preparing for his new role as United Nations (UN) Police Commissioner all his career. Over the past 32 years, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer has been involved in a wide variety of national and international investigations, from drugs and organized crime to human trafficking.

The Quebec City native, now serving in Haiti, has also served on two previous international peace missions: Haiti, in 1995 and Kosovo, in 2000, where he was in charge of setting up a human trafficking and prostitution investigation unit.

“I realized I could make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of a people,” says Tardif of his experience in the Balkans. “I was particularly engaged because my daughter was around the same age as most of the victims I was rescuing.”

Tardif’s path in and out of international policing led to higher positions in Canada, including a two-year stint at the Privy Council Office advising the Prime Minister on security. It also helped lay the groundwork for a senior position with the UN, to which he was called unexpectedly in early 2010, after then-UN Deputy Police Commissioner Doug Coates perished in the devastating earthquake.

“I was very humbled by this request, and determined to honour the memory of my fallen colleagues, especially Doug, who was my troop mate when I joined the RCMP,” recalls Tardif. “He believed in a better future for the people of Haiti, and made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.”

Despite his background, nothing prepared Tardif for the shock of seeing Haiti after the earthquake. At the same time, he knew there was an urgent need to get down to business.

C/Supt. Tardif on the tarmac in Port-au-Prince

As Deputy Police Commissioner, he was responsible for managing 3,300 UN police officers (UNPOLs). He quickly mobilized them to address the challenges of a humanitarian crisis and operational requirements, while trying to rebuild a crippled UNPOL infrastructure.

With the escape of nearly 5,000 prisoners during the earthquake, crime burgeoned within the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, especially rape and domestic violence. In response, Tardif launched 24/7 police patrols in six major camps, mobile patrols in 66 other camps and community policing programs to combat sexual and gender-based crime.

Through such challenges as the earthquake, cholera outbreak and recent elections, Tardif has been fortunate to have a contingent of highly qualified and experienced Canadian UNPOLs to draw upon. Canadian police played a lead role in helping the HNP capture escaped prisoners, deal with kidnappings and criminal gangs, as well as improve security in the IDP camps.

Working as the MINUSTAH Police Commissioner since March, Tardif sees an important place for Canadians in the mission.

“Canada can best contribute by continuing to provide skilled and experienced officers to the mission and ensuring they are deployed according to their expertise,” he emphasizes. “Canadians from all walks of life can contribute in every way to rebuilding the country. Haiti still needs more doctors, nurses, engineers, administrators, lawyers, etc. – and it needs them urgently.”