Uneasy lies the head that wears the WPS crown

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2016 (3268 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After Nov. 8, there will be a new face at the helm of the Winnipeg Police Service, saddled with the headaches and challenges of the position.

But the replacement for Chief Devon Clunis is no stranger. He’s Danny Smyth, who has climbed up the ranks and was promoted to deputy chief a year ago. Mr. Smyth has already been a very public face of the Winnipeg police, particularly in some of its most trying moments.

Mr. Smyth’s appointment was the first made by the Winnipeg Police Board following public consultations. Mr. Smyth is viewed as experienced and likeable — important traits for a leader who will grapple with a growing budget and pension issues, along with a strong and organized union.

But he has some social capital, as University of Manitoba criminologist Frank Cormier points out. And he has been the face of the Winnipeg police for some time now, heading up news conferences — particularly difficult ones — with humanity and grace.

He was front-and-centre when the police announced an arrest in the Tina Fontaine murder. He was also the reassuring voice when Winnipeg police announced an arrest of one of their own officers — Trent Milan — charged with 34 offences including criminal breach of trust, attempting to obstruct justice and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking seized during police investigations in September. Mr. Milan died in October.

But there’s no doubt that this is going to be a difficult job for Mr. Smyth. Mr. Clunis stepped down early — only three and a half years into his five-year mandate — following a public dust-up with city hall over the police budget. While Mr. Clunis denied that was the reason behind his early exit, he still made it clear that the way the police board is structured needs a change.

The budget woes aren’t going anywhere and now this is Mr. Smyth’s headache. In September, there was a $6.5-million year-end deficit projected by the Winnipeg Police Service in its 2016 second-quarter financial report. There are also mounting concerns about police salaries, particularly overtime costs and pensions.

Mr. Smyth will no doubt be expected to answer some tough questions over the course of his tenure. Tensions between First Nations and Winnipeg police remain an ongoing issue, similar to other police departments facing criticisms for the handling of investigations — particularly with missing and murdered aboriginal women. Distrust lingers and will not be resolved quickly.

As well, Mr. Smyth may have to handle some hard questions about why WPS did not look into allegations from a whistleblower about wrong-doing in relation to the building of the police headquarters. That’s now under investigation by the RCMP.

The role of police chief in any city is not easy. Mr. Smyth has to be both politician and cop. He has to be a representative of the officers in blue, as well as a representative of the community in which they serve. And, sometimes, those roles conflict. Mr. Smyth has certainly proven himself in the media glare when there are hard questions to answer. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to perfect that skill in the years to come.