150 years of policing in Winnipeg

Charleswood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/08/2024 (743 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As Winnipeg celebrates its 150th birthday, the Winnipeg Police Service and Winnipeg Police Museum mark the same milestone. In a recent presentation at the Charleswood Historical Society, John Burchill, chief of staff with the Winnipeg Police Service and president of the Winnipeg Police Museum, covered a range of historical events that have occurred since 1874 – when Winnipeg became a city and got its own police force.

John Ingram was the first chief constable for the City of Winnipeg. He served one year as chief of police, followed by David Murray, who served from 1875 -1887. The land boomof the 1880s brought growth and the hiring of many police officers.

John McRae, who served as chief from 1887 to 1911 brought in new ranks, a signal system and new modes of transportation, such as bicycles, motorcycles and ambulances. He oversaw the building of a new police station and substations across the city would follow. He was awarded a King’s Police Medal.

There were several firsts under Donald MacPherson, chief from 1911-1919. He started the first school on instruction, introduced the first motorized patrol wagon, and brought in call boxes, which allowed calls to be made to police stations – there were 300 call boxes across the city. Another first was the hiring of the first woman police officer in 1916 – the same year women in Manitoba got the vote.

Under Christopher Newton, who was chief from 1919-1934, the pipe and drum band was formed and still exists today. The Winnipeg Strike of 1919 caused great consternation for the police department, taking years for it to recover. George Smith served as chief from 1934-47 and was named to the Order of the British Empire for his work during Second World War. Charles McIver was at the helm during the great flood of 1950, which also presented major challenges for the police department, including rescuing citizens from their homes.

Other notable firsts were instituted under Robert Taft, who served from 1953-65. He hired commissioners, cadets, and started planning for the Public Safety Building. Most importantly, in 1959, the 999 emergency telephone number and call centre were introduced in Winnipeg. The 999 system pioneered in Winnipeg was the first in North America – the precursor to the current 911 system.

George Blow, hired Winnipeg first Indigenous police officer, Frank McKay, in 1968.

The amalgamation of the Winnipeg police departments began under Norman Stewart with Charleswood and Tuxedo Police joining the Winnipeg Police Force in 1972. Stewart received Order of Canada for community service in 1978.

Ken Johnston was chief from 1981-84, followed by Herb Stephen. The Winnipeg Police Museum Historical Society was incorporated in 1986.

The name change from Winnipeg Police Force to Winnipeg Police Service took place under Dale Henry in 1995. David Cassels who advocated for community-based was chief from 1996 to 1998, followed by Jack Ewatski, the first non-anglo chief of the force, who served until 2007. Under Keith McCaskill, Shelley Hart was named the city’s first female deputy police chief. In 2012, Devon Clunis became the first black chief of police in Canada.

Under current chief Danny Smyth, the Winnipeg Police Service moved to its new headquarters on Graham Avenue in 2016. Smyth plans to retire in September.

Each of these 18 police chiefs made significant contributions to the Winnipeg Police Service and by extension to the citizens of the City of Winnipeg.

For information, visit winnipegpolicemuseum.ca