Winnipeg hires external lawyers to sort out delay in hiring new police chief

The City of Winnipeg has sought legal advice about how to proceed with the process of hiring its next police chief, a decision that's been hung up in the vetting process since December.

Winnipeg Police Board chair Markus Chambers said Monday the city has asked external lawyers to assist with its decision about the next leader of the Winnipeg Police Service.

Chambers said on Dec. 6 a candidate had been identified — but 12 days later said the police board needed more time to determine whether that hire would be right for the city and the police service.

On Monday, Chambers confirmed the board received new information in December. He declined to say whether the city is still looking at hiring the same candidate or whether it's moved on to consider others.

"The board is taking a serious look at it. We're going through our policies or procedures and we're making sure that we're vetting it accordingly," the councillor for St. Norbert-Seine River said at city hall following a police board meeting.

"Included in our due diligence, we've gone out and sought independent legal advice and we're making sure that we're acting in accordance to the policies and procedures that are set."

The Winnipeg Police Service has been without a permanent chief since Danny Smyth retired in September. Deputy chief Art Stannard has been serving as acting chief since then.

Replacing Smyth "will take as long as it takes," Chambers said.

"We understand what this represents to the City of Winnipeg. We understand what this means for the Winnipeg Police Service, so we want to take our time and do it right, do it diligently, make sure we leave no stone uncovered to make that right decision," he said.

The Winnipeg Police Association, which represents most police employees, said it is awaiting the conclusion of this process.

Also on Monday, the Winnipeg Police Board approved the police service's $339-million operating budget for 2025. Spending on police accounts for 24 per cent of the city's $1.4-billion operating budget.

That decision faces further approval by city council's executive policy committee on Jan. 24 and council as a whole on Jan. 29.