Yukon RCMP has a new commanding officer

Scott Sheppard, a 27-year veteran with the RCMP, has taken over as headof Yukon's police force. The territorial government made the announcement Tuesday.

Sheppard replaces Peter Clark, who announced earlier this year that he was stepping down as Yukon's commanding officer.

A government release says Sheppard has worked "in a variety of locations", including municipal detachments in B.C.'s lower mainland, and rural and First Nations communities in B.C. and Manitoba.

He was also involved in the RCMP's Olympic security program for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, and received a Queen's Jubilee medal for thatwork. He's also received a commendation for his work on long-term undercover operations.

Sheppardhas also assisted the Canadian Forces involved in counterinsurgency investigations in Afghanistan.

In a statement, he says he is "pleased and proud" to head up the Yukon force, and has already learned a "great deal about the challenges our communities are facing."