Come on Greg, give us police board

The Toronto Police Commission has issued a report on the misbehaviour and illegal activity of members of the Toronto police during the 2010 G20 summit. The existence of this police commission and its honest, hard-hitting report will build the confidence of Torontonians that they will be protected by an honest, professional police force.

In Manitoba, we don't have that confidence. In August 2008, then justice minister Dave Chomiak promised to update the Police Act. At the time, the Conservative opposition called the promise unbelievable because the NDP had been promising changes since 2002. It seems the Conservatives were partially accurate. The NDP have been working on this police commission and boards for four years.

Inner-city organizations led by Tom Simms, then executive director of Community Education Development Association, had organized a series of meetings demanding a police commission. These well-attended meetings were a major factor in convincing Dave Chomiak to act.

Rob Neufeld, executive director of the North End Community Renewal Corporation, wrote a reasoned brief supporting the establishment of a police commission (board) in Winnipeg.

I quote: "Question: Do regular citizens have any place in police governance? A civilian-led police commission means that governance is not a private affair behind closed doors. Policy is formed with representation from the community. A civilian police commission is governance involving the community in policy decisions that affect constructive change on the street, i.e. deployment, resource allocation, the whole approach to policing and the philosophy behind it. (It is) best practice of other big cities in Canada except Winnipeg."

Just to show how serious they were, the NDP passed the new Manitoba Police Services Act in 2009. Unfortunately, the government defied its own legislation by refusing to proclaim the most important sections -- those dealing with municipal police boards, including Winnipeg. Now we are going to get the police board -- in December, well after the new chief of police is chosen.

Previously, the City of Winnipeg had established the Winnipeg Police Advisory Board. Much to my surprise, I was appointed by city council to be a member. While this was a strictly advisory organization, it played a useful purpose as an interim until the new Police Act was proclaimed. Some serious research and advice was given to the police. I was quite happy to lose my appointment as the police advisory board was disbanded, since I am a supporter of a real police board.

Years later, however, Justice Minister Andrew Swan is still delaying efforts by other members of cabinet to proclaim the part of the act that establishes the Winnipeg police board.

Why the wait? My understanding is Swan is still having a hissy fit over cabinet refusing to allow him to pack the Manitoba Police Commission with pro-police members. Instead, Premier Greg Selinger and cabinet appointed a board that represented the overall community, including three retired police officers and Robert Taman, a critic of the police since his wife Crystal was killed when her car was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by a police officer.

Swan, who has become a symbol of law and order across Canada and a major supporter of Mayor Sam Katz, does not want to proclaim the legislation until after a replacement for police Chief Keith McCaskill has been chosen. Under the present system, the chief will be hired by city manager Phil Sheegl, which means Katz will make the choice.

Once again, New Democrats across Winnipeg, myself included, cannot understand why Selinger, a strong supporter of the police board, is unable to force Swan to proclaim the legislation before the new chief is hired. Does Mayor Sam have more clout in cabinet than Premier Greg?

Choosing a police chief to fill the very large shoes of McCaskill will be one of the major decisions the city makes in the next few years. A Winnipeg police board, with a broad cross-section of the community as its members, chosen by Katz and city council, has a better chance of finding the person who can bring our unacceptable murder rate under control. A Winnipeg police board will build confidence among our citizens that the police force is a professional, competent organization.

Come on Greg, hitch up your pants, take charge and give us the Winnipeg police board now, not in six months. I'm sure Andrew won't bite, just pout.

Sel Burrows is a Point Douglas community activist and longtime New Democrat.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 11, 2012 A10