New Police Services Act legislation on horizon

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This article was published 07/03/2022 (1505 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s justice minister — who is preparing to introduce new legislation to reform the Police Services Act — says he’s looking forward to speaking with the city councillor who publicly aired his frustration while resigning from the Winnipeg Police Board.

“I don’t know the reasons why he resigned,” Tory MLA Kelvin Goertzen told reporters Monday.

Coun. Brian Mayes, a lawyer, announced his move on social media, blaming dysfunction between the board and city council, and “ongoing arguments over respective roles and jurisdiction.”

In a tweet Monday, Mayes said the provincial government needs to consider “other alternatives for civilian oversight of policing” in new legislation.

In a scrum outside the chamber, the justice minister said he’s known Mayes a long time and respects his opinion. “I’d be curious to know some of the concerns that he has.”

Goertzen, who has a law degree, said he couldn’t yet speak about imminent changes to the Police Services Act. “It will modernize the act in many ways when it comes to policing and standards.”

In terms of governance and complaints made publicly about operational issues — such as the handling of recent so-called “freedom convoy” blockades — “police used their discretion” and the events ended without arrests, said Goertzen.

After being briefed Monday on the new Police Services Act, Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said the changes don’t address what needs to be addressed.

“We don’t have adequate civilian oversight of police in this province,” said Lamont.

Political leaders and civilian overseers shouldn’t be directing enforcement, but they should have some say when it comes to setting policy, he added.

“For example, right now, the City of Winnipeg can’t set a policy to require the reduced use of force… They should be able to do that.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca