Winnipeg, MB - The Executive Policy Committee (EPC) is recommending to City Council that the following appointments be made to the Winnipeg Police Board:
- Scott Fielding, City Councillor (St James - Brooklands), recommended to Chair the Winnipeg Police Board.
- Thomas Steen, City Councillor (Elmwood - East Kildonan) and Councillor responsible for Youth and Recreational Opportunities.
- Paul Edwards, partner in the Winnipeg law firm of Duboff Edwards Haight & Schachter, practicing in the areas of Labour and Employment, Civil Litigation, Environmental, Government Relations Law and Negotiations. Mr. Edwards is recommended as Vice-Chair.
- David Keam, President, Best Sleep Centre, a successful Manitoba retailer and a former member of the Winnipeg Police Advisory Board.
- Mary Jane Loustel, National Aboriginal Program Executive for IBM Canada, Chair of Economic Development Winnipeg, and Board Director and Chair of Finance Committee with the Aboriginal Human Resources Council.
EPC first recommended Winnipeg Police Board appointees on March 7, 2013. However, one of the appointees withdrew his name before the recommendation could be considered at the March 2013 Council meeting. David Keam, President of the Best Sleep Centre, is the new recommendation from EPC.
These appointments will be made in compliance with provincial legislation (The Police Services Act) and will be subject to Council approval.The inaugural board will be made up of City Councillors, citizen members and provincial appointees.
City appointees were selected based on a balance of skills including experience in one or more of the following areas: financial acumen, community crime prevention, understanding of the urban Aboriginal context, familiarity with the City’s LiveSAFE Crime Prevention Partnership, governance, policy making and strategy.
Citizens appointed to the board will serve for a term not to exceed the lesser of three years or the term of the Council that made the appointment. Councillors appointed to the board may serve for a one-year term, and may be a board member only so long as they remain a Councillor.
Councillor Fielding today announced a compromise solution for appointees who wish to have a third party law enforcement agency complete their Winnipeg Police Board background checks.
“Background checks will continue to be conducted by the Winnipeg Police Service, however, for anyone who prefers to have a third party complete the check, such as the RCMP, we will make that option available,” said Councillor Fielding.
The mandate of the board, which was established in a by-law on November 28, 2012, is to provide civilian governance regarding law enforcement, give administrative direction to support effective policing in our city, and act as a liaison between the community and the Winnipeg Police Service.