OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has named Reid Morden, former head of the country's spy agency, to look into management troubles that have roiled the RCMP.

Toews says Morden will conduct an independent workplace assessment of the Mounties.

Recent reports suggest the police force is in turmoil at the top over the pace of internal reforms and the troubles have pitted William Elliott, the first civilian commissioner of the force, against some of his highest-ranking uniformed subordinates.

Toews said he's determined to shake up the iconic police force.

"This government will continue its work to reform and strengthen our national police force, and remains committed to ensuring the RCMP becomes a stronger, more accountable organization," he said in announcing Morden's appointment.

Elliott took the job in July 2007 when the Mounties were shaken by a series of problems, including its mishandling of the Maher Arar case and claims of corruption in its pension plan. A major report described the force as "horribly broken."

Elliott, a former national security adviser to prime minister Paul Martin, was brought in to provide civilian oversight.

Now, he and the uniforms are clashing over reforms and what is seen as his abrasive management style.

Morden is a former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who was also a diplomat and was once deputy minister of foreign affairs. He also served as president and CEO of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.

He now runs Reid Morden and Associates, a firm offering public policy advice to both governments and the private sector.