the RCMP. This eventually led, in 1984, to the establishment of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), effectively creating a separation of domestic policing and foreign intelligence in Canada similar to the distinction between the FBI and the CIA in the United States. In an address to the Security Panel (a senior interdepartmental committee of officials), Higgitt termed the recommendation for a separate civilian intelligence service "a travesty of justice," and added that "the Soviet Intelligence would be jubilant. They could never hope to duplicate the accomplishment". Higgitt was responsible for organizing the RCMP Centennial Celebrations in 1973, and in July of that year, in Standoff Alberta, was honored with a Kainai chieftainship by the Blood Indian Band. Higgitt was given the Blackfoot name "Great Chief" and was presented with a head-dress and peace pipe by Joe Chief Body. Higgitt was also appointed Commander of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (Order of St. John) in 1973, and was awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal and the RCMP Long Service Medal. President of Interpol While serving in London, England as the RCMP Liaison Officer for the United Kingdom and Western Europe, Higgitt travelled widely and acquired valuable experience as a member of the Canadian Delegation to the General Assemblies of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in 1961, in Copenhagen, and 1962, in Madrid. As RCMP Commissioner he also led the Canadian Delegation to Mexico City in 1969. In 1971, while Higgitt was RCMP Commissioner, Canada and the RCMP hosted the 40th General Assembly of Interpol in Ottawa, which featured fifty delegations representing national policing organizations across the world. In 1972, at Interpol's 41st Plenary Meeting in Frankfurt, Higgitt was elected President of Interpol. This marked the first time a president from outside Europe was elected. Higgitt set currency counterfeiting and the growing global narcotics trade as Interpol's top priorities. Higgitt sought to keep politics out of Interpol, telling the London Sunday Times in 1974 that if Interpol became a political body like the United Nations, debating definitions of terrorism, it would find itself increasingly unsuccessful in its intelligence-gathering operations and eventually break apart. Retirement Commissioner Higgitt retired from the RCMP on December 28, 1973; going on to serve for several years as president of Canada's Safety Council. He was called before the Commission of Inquiry Concerning Certain Activities of the RCMP in 1980, testifying that he,