January 20, 2021

Winnipeg
-11° C, Light snow

Full Forecast

Contact Us Subscribe Manage Subscription Chat with us
Log in Create Free Account Help Chat with us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • My Account
    • Manage my Subscription
    • Change Password

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
    • Log in
    • Create Free Account
    • Help

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
  • Coronavirus Coverage
  • Replica E-Edition
    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • The Herald
    • The Headliner
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'Wester
    • The Times
  • Above the Fold
  • Front page
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Book Club
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Canada
  • Local
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • World
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Archives
  • Canstar Community News
    • All Canstar Community News
    • The Headliner
    • The Herald
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'wester
    • The Times
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Classifieds
  • Contests
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • Sponsored
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Flyers
  • Homes
    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Puzzles
  • Photostore
  • More

©2021 FP Newspaper Inc.

Close
  • Quick Links

    • Coronavirus Coverage
    • Above the Fold
    • Home
    • Local
    • Canada
    • World
    • Classifieds
    • Special Coverage
    • Flyers
    • Newsletters
    • Obituaries
    • Photostore
    • Archives
    • Contests
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Content
    • Privacy Policy

    Ways to support us

    • Pay it Forward program
    • Subscribe
    • Day Pass
    • Read Now Pay later
  • Replica E-Edition

    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • The Herald
    • The Headliner
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'Wester
    • The Times

    Business

    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Arts & Life

    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Sports

    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • Opinion

    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor

    Media

    • All Media
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos

    Homes

    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Canstar Community News

    • All Canstar Community News
    • The Headliner
    • The Herald
    • The Lance
    • The Metro
    • The Sou'wester
    • The Times
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Coupons

    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • About Us

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
Winnipeg Free Press
Articles Read
Your Balance +tax
Day Pass Till
Day Pass
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Report an Error
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
    • Staff Biographies
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • Log in
    • Create Account
    • Help
    • Chat with us

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
    • My Account
    • Manage My Subscription
    • Change Password
    • Chat with us

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
Log in Create Account Contact Us
Contact Us Manage Subscription
  • Sections
  • Local
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Diversions
    • Environment
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Health
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Soccer
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • E-Edition
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
    • All Classifieds
    • Announcements
    • Automotive
    • Careers
    • Garage Sales
    • Merchandise
    • Pets
    • Real Estate
    • Rentals
    • Services
  • Sponsored
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print
    • Ripley's Aquariums
    • The Bay
    • Staples Canada
    • Altitude Sports
    • Nike
    • Tuango
    • Ebay Canada
    • Sport Chek
    • Roots
  • Obituaries
  • Subscribe
Latest News

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Inner workings of police unveiled

-- Former homicide cop calls transfer 'crap' -- Sergeant's grievance heard by arbitrator

Mike McIntyre By: Mike McIntyre
Posted: 07/6/2011 1:00 AM | Last Modified: 07/6/2011 8:39 AM | Updates

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Print
  • Email

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 5/7/2011 (3486 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He's used to staring down suspected killers and getting them to confess to their crimes.

Yet one of Winnipeg's most experienced homicide investigators says nothing could have prepared him for the "unethical and immoral" conduct he experienced from senior management within the police service.

Sgt. James Jewell

Sgt. James Jewell

Sgt. James Jewell pulled no punches Tuesday when giving his views of several direct supervisors, including police Chief Keith McCaskill, during the first day of a week-long arbitration hearing.

The hearing put the inner workings of the police service under a rare public microscope. Jewell has filed a grievance with the provincial labour board, claiming he was unjustly transferred out of the homicide unit in March. He claims it was a "punitive" act for speaking out about changes in the unit.

"I always felt a debt of gratitude to the police service, but I draw the line when people misrepresent and lie," Jewell told arbitrator Arne Peltz. "What happened is a bunch of crap. There's no other way to describe it."

McCaskill and other members of the police executive are expected to testify at the hearing later this week.

"I do hold the chief of police responsible for what happened," said Jewell. "I don't think the transfer policy was meant to be used like a sledgehammer over people's heads, but that's what he did."

Jewell has been a police officer for 24 years and was appointed as one of the two supervising sergeants of the eight-member homicide unit in 2009. He had previously worked as an investigator in the unit, as well as working in many other specialized departments.

Jewell wasn't in his new position long before he began expressing concern about an internal police policy that requires homicide investigators to be moved out of the unit after three years. Jewell said the quick turnover isn't good because there is a steep learning curve for new investigators.

"Being able to retain experience has always been an issue. The investigations are intense; the stakes are very high," he said. "When you're turning over and bringing new people in all the time, you're starting from ground zero."

Jewell was asked by senior management to sit on a committee last year to study homicide unit operations. One of their recommendations was to increase tenure to five years.

But Jewell said police brass ignored that finding. He became frustrated earlier this year after learning two homicide investigators were to be transferred after three years, as per existing policy. Jewell said he recommended they be given extensions.

Jewell appealed to his direct supervisors -- Staff Sgt. Mike Stephens and Insp. Rick Guyader -- but his request was denied. Guyader and Stephens had just come into the homicide unit weeks earlier, replacing the supervising team that brought Jewell on board.

Jewell said he felt the only logical move was to have a meeting with McCaskill, who has told officers he has an open-door policy. Jewell said Stephens warned him that "certain people aren't going to be impressed by you going over their heads."

Jewell met with McCaskill on March 11. He said McCaskill was happy to discuss the issue but was of little assistance during a cordial, 45-minute chat. The two transfers would go through.

"I felt I had an obligation to the community to do the right thing for this unit," he said. "(McCaskill) said he respected me and the passion I had for the unit, but that he was sorry he couldn't do anything for me."

Jewell was called into Guyader's office four days later. Stephens was also present. The pair said they were transferring Jewell out of the homicide unit. The only explanation was that they were exercising their right to do so, under existing policy.

Stay informed

The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.

Subscribe to COVID-19 Briefing
Sign Up

"It was essentially a blindside," said Jewell. "I knew some people may have been unhappy with me going to the chief. I never thought my job would be in jeopardy. I thought those tactics were fairly prehistoric and we were past that. I'd crossed the wrong guy."

Jewell said he was flooded with calls and emails from nearly 300 past and present officers who were furious with what was done to him.

"They are completely demoralized," he said.

The Winnipeg Police Association filed a grievance, claiming police management violated protocol by transferring Jewell without cause or fair warning.

Jewell has since accepted a position within the St. James district until he maxes out his pension at 25 years of service next spring. He said the transfer cost him tens of thousands of dollars in overtime and he now does a desk job he equates to being a "Walmart greeter."

www.mikeoncrime.com

Mike McIntyre

Mike McIntyre
Reporter

Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer.

   Read full biography
   Sign up for Mike McIntyre’s email newsletter, On Sports

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

History

Updated on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 8:39 AM CDT: Corrects name of Insp. Rick Guyader.

  • Report Error
  • Submit a Tip
  • Refund

The Winnipeg Free Press invites you to share your opinion on this story in a letter to the editor. A selection of letters to the editor are published daily.

To submit a letter:
• fill out the form on this page, or
• email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or
• mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6.

Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and a daytime phone number. Letters are edited for length and clarity.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Top