Former MLA Mayer set to lead Winnipeg Police Board

The next leader of the Winnipeg Police Board looks set to come from within its ranks.

Colleen Mayer is being recommended to lead the board, which oversees the Winnipeg Police Service, a city report notes.

In an interview, Mayer she said she hopes to ensure police connect with the community they serve as much as possible.

“The voices from the community that helped us build the (WPS) strategic plan… those are the voices that are important. We are a citizen liaison between the community and (police),” she said.

The Winnipeg Police Board guides the WPS strategic plan.

In addition to building public trust in the police service, Mayer said the wellness of front-line staff, including police officers and others, is a top priority.

“They are our biggest asset and, if they’re not well, then that has a hindrance on the work they put out to protect and serve us,” she said.

Mayer is currently interim chairwoman of the board and has been a member since March 2022, aside from a five-day interruption last year.

She will be appointed to the board by Mayor Scott Gillingham, pending a final city council vote, and would be the first woman to hold the position.

“Colleen Mayer has played a key role as vice-chair on the police board, helping hire the new chief and build a new strategic plan. I served alongside her, and I’m confident her experience and background in public administration will provide stable leadership as the board puts this plan into action,” said Gillingham, in a written statement.

“I’ve always had appreciation for the role, justice, policing. So, I’ve always been drawn to that type of work. I think that’s what led me here.”

Mayer is a former Progressive Conservative MLA for St. Vital and currently works as the chief administrative officer for the Rural Municipality of Armstrong.

She’s had a keen interest in law enforcement since childhood, once even applying to become an RCMP officer.

“I’ve always had appreciation for the role, justice, policing. So, I’ve always been drawn to that type of work. I think that’s what led me here,” she said.

Another motion recommends appointing Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) to serve as vice-chairman of the board. He is also an existing board member.

The chairperson role was left vacant after Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) resigned in October, citing unspecified “personal health” issues.

Coun. Brian Mayes said he will seek the remaining police board position, which would also require a city council vote.

The councillor said he would like to help ensure police purchase body cameras for officers and build a new south district police station, which police Chief Gene Bowers recently noted he supports.

“Maybe I have to put the work in to try and make this happen,” said Mayes.

The councillor said it is important two city council members are included in the board, to ensure police budget oversight and help other council members share residents’ crime and safety concerns.

“I fought pretty hard several years ago to make sure there were two councillors on this committee,” said Mayes.

His interest in the police board is an about-face since he quit the board in 2022. At the time, he publicly deemed the board’s relationship with city council “dysfunctional,” citing repeated arguments over jurisdiction, and urged the provincial government to consider alternatives for civilian oversight of policing.

While he did not take back his previous comments, Mayes said he’s willing to try the position again.

“The players have changed. I think the mood is kind of changed… I hope we put all that behind us and start anew,” he said.

Mayes said no other city council members have declared interest in the role.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga