Winnipeg police board begins search for new top cop

The Winnipeg Police Board has begun its process to find the city’s next chief of police.

Chief Danny Smyth, who has been in the role since 2016, informed the board he intends to retire on Sept. 3 of next year.

During Friday’s police board meeting at city hall, Chief Smyth made the official public announcement.

“It’s been a real privilege to do this, but at a lot of times, it’s been a heavy burden,” Chief Smyth told reporters after Friday’s meeting.

“So I think for the first little while I’ll just be catching my breath.”

Chief Smyth stepped into the role of chief of police in 2016, and has been with the service for 37 years. He is one of the longest running police chiefs in Canada.

“I haven’t had a chance to really reflect on it – there were some things that occurred that I don’t think anyone else had to experience,” Smyth said.

“Certainly the pandemic was something we all experienced and police had to adapt to that. And social justice movements that impacted policing across the world. Those are two areas that had a big impact on our membership and certainly something that I had to helped navigate. I think we’re past both of those now and it’s certainly a time to pass the baton now.”

In a statement Friday, board chair Coun. Markus Chambers said a procurement process, with the help of an independent firm, is being launched to find the right candidate for the position. The process is expected to include community consultation and discussions with stakeholders and members of the police service.

Coun. Chambers also said it’s a difficult position to fill.

“It’s happening right across Canada, where the challenges of recruiting executive members to serve in police leadership, it’s a challenge,” Coun. Chambers said. “We’ve got to make sure we do this right, given the nature of where we see our city is at and where we would like to see it’s potential.”

Coun. Chambers adds that the challenges and pressures associated with the public scrutiny and criticism those in a police chief role have faced, has dissuaded qualified people from taking on those positions.

Mayor Scott Gillingham says he would like to see a strong leader and collaborator take on the role.

“I, as mayor, am looking for someone who has a real sense of community safety and the role they play as a partner, as a collaborator, so that we ensure that our community continues to be safer and stronger for everybody,” Mayor Gillingham said.

The police board will be accepting delegations at its March 8, 2024 meeting, and will accept written comments on the process until March 15.

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