OTTAWA — The beleaguered RCMP is shaking up its management with the appointment of two veteran officers to oversee operations in Eastern and Western Canada.

The creation of new regional czars follows a summer of discontent at the national police force amid accusations of bullying by commissioner William Elliott and persistent concerns the pace of much-needed RCMP modernization was too slow.

"Nobody is perfect and certainly I am far from perfect," Elliott told a news conference Thursday. "I have made mistakes, I do have shortcomings. We are working collaboratively to try and be a more effective team."

Gary Bass becomes deputy commissioner, West, based in Vancouver, and Steve Graham will assume responsibilities as deputy commissioner, East, in Halifax.

Elliott, stung by a revolt by several senior members over the summer, says the changes follow broad consultations that began last spring with provincial and territorial contract partners.

Elliott also appointed some new provincial commanding officers: Assistant Commissioner Dale McGowan becomes commanding officer in Alberta, Chief Supt. Russell Mirasty in Saskatchewan, and Chief Supt. Alphonse MacNeil in Halifax.

"I know that we can count on each of our new COs for their outstanding leadership, relationship- and consensus-building, and strong contributions to our ongoing efforts to bring about positive change," Elliott said.

It seems like the commissioner is simply adding a new layer of management, said Linda Duxbury, a Carleton University business professor who has done consulting for the Mounties.

"How is this going to fix things?" asked a perplexed Duxbury.

"I don't see how that whole other layer is really going to improve communication up and down the organization.

"If it won't do that, then I think that it could divide the force into two groups -- the east and the west pitted against each other."

A number of senior Mounties, including the now-departed Mike McDonell, have complained to the government that Elliott is an abrasive, intimidating boss who alienates staff.

An independent "workplace assessment" of the fractious RCMP also found that the halting pace of reform inside the police force frustrated some Mounties.

An upbeat Elliott admitted Thursday the force had been through a "very trying" period but argued the problems that have divided its upper echelons are in the past.

"I am confident we are on the right track," he said. "We are moving forward.

"I look at myself in the mirror everyday, and certainly the criticism caused me to look more closely," he added.

"I certainly acknowledge that I need to find ways that are more constructive to deal with situations, to deal with people and to deal with my own frustrations."

Deputy Commissioner Tim Killam and Assistant Commissioner Bernie Corrigan are leaving the force in coming months, though the RCMP insists their retirements were planned before the disputes emerged.

Elliott declined to comment on whether Raf Souccar, deputy commissioner for federal policing, had been asked to leave the force.

He said that following the summer complaints, all members of the senior executive, including Souccar, had agreed to work together.

Duxbury said the reality isn't as rosy, calling it the calm before a storm. "People, literally, are waiting to see what happens."

Elliott says the new Eastern and Western deputies will consult employees, contract partners and others on possible future changes.

The commissioner told the ranks: "It is only through your hard work, continued support, innovation and passion for improving the RCMP that we will earn and maintain the trust and confidence of Canadians and the communities we serve."

The Public Safety Department hired Reid Morden, a former CSIS director, to interview disgruntled RCMP members at Ottawa headquarters for the workplace assessment.

In an Aug. 25 synopsis for Public Safety, Morden noted the RCMP had not even successfully publicized changes that had taken place as part of its sweeping transformation efforts.

The glossy 37-page report, titled Progress, was released by the Mounties on Thursday.

"We need to be a more accountable police force," Elliott said, "and there needs to strengthened independent oversight of the actions of our members and the force as an organization."