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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Choosing a chief
Phil Sheegl, the city's chief administrative officer, has the legal authority to hire and fire police chiefs without consulting anyone. In fact, he can do the same for every civic employee, with the exception of the city clerk, chief financial officer and city auditor.
The enormous power was granted to the chief administrative officer in 1997 following an administrative overhaul that sought to increase efficiency and reduce political meddling.
Among major cities, the process may be unique to Winnipeg, according to the Police Sector Council, a non-profit group Ottawa funds Ottawa to improve the quality of senior police management in the country. Most police chiefs are hired by the mayor and council, or by police boards.
Winnipeg will eventually have a police board with the power to hire and fire chiefs of police, but for now the city is stuck with the old process, which is not the fault of Mr. Sheegl, who actually sought input from every councillor, as well as establishing a search committee and hiring an external firm to help in the process.
These were smart moves that reflect an understanding that the selection of a new chief constable is political in the best sense of the word. The city needs to hire someone who understands and respects the special concerns and interests of the community and its elected leaders, but he or she must also be competent in several fields, including finance, administration and leadership.
Coun. Paula Havixbeck was wrong to resign from Mr. Sheegl's search committee, which provided an opportunity for her to offer political input and to report back to her colleagues on council. Instead, she decided she would not participate unless the final decision was reached by consensus.
Councillors will have even less direct input when the new police boards are established, but an astute board and an effective chief will know the support of politicians and citizens is vital to the task.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 29, 2012 A10
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