Brian Mayes resigns from Winnipeg Police Board

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) has resigned from the Winnipeg Police Board.

"Ibelieve the board's relationship with city council has become dysfunctional, with ongoing arguments over respective roles and jurisdiction," Mayes tweeted on Monday.

He added the provincial governmentshould consider different public oversight of policing when it presents legislation this fall. Manitoba's Police Services Act is getting changes from the PC government later this year.

Mayes declined an interview with CBC, saying he didn't want to "worsen relationships."

In Friday's police board meeting, Mayes commented several times on the use and purpose of the group.

"Nobody has a more confused jurisdiction ... than the oversight of police in the City of Winnipeg," he said during the meeting.

The board is meant to guide and hold the city's police serviceaccountable forits work in regardtocommunity values and needs,according to the city's website.

Chair commits to more transparency

Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River), who chairs the police board, thanked Mayes for his work with the group. In an interview, he agreed that there has been "dysfunction" lately.

"But we're in a time where policing has been even more complex," said Chambers, referencing the social justice movements that have grown since summer 2020, and the increase in large-scale rallies and protests police have monitored since then.

"We have to look at a way of improving communication around these issues and creating more transparency and accountability not only for the board, but for the service as well," said Chambers.

Chambers says the operating rules and bylaws for the police board need updating.

He also referenced the trouble Ottawa Police Service's Board has seen in recent weeks resignationsafter reports that one member supported the anti-mandate protest in that city. He said accountability to police is a hot topic across the country.

"These are questions that are coming up across the nation with regards to how independent our police boards are, especially when they have elected officials on them," said Chambers.

"These are policies that are being constantly evaluated, constantly improved upon."

WATCH |Coun. Brian Mayes resigns from Winnipeg Police Board calling it 'dysfunctional':

Coun. Brian Mayes resigns from Winnipeg Police Board calling it 'dysfunctional'

3 years ago

Duration 1:53

St. Vital city councillor Brian Mayes has resigned from the Winnipeg police board.

With regard to dysfunction, Chambers saidall councillors have to work on communication.

"We're all very passionate about the different files that are presented here at city hall," he said.

"I think it's an opportunity toincrease that level of respect, recognizing everybody's got a position and it's how we work collaboratively to agree to disagree, but not throw one another under the bus."

Last week, Coun. Sherri Rollins(Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) told board members to resign if they didn't ask critical questions of police chief Danny Smyth and the service. She said the police chief's written report to the board about the anti-COVID mandate protests was "insufficient," and Winnipeggers needed more details.

"I didn't ask them for aresignation carte blanche," said Rollins in an interview Monday.

"I asked them to do their job in terms of police oversight and accountability. And if they weren't prepared to do that, to step aside for people that were."

Rollins said she spoke with Mayes Monday morning about his resignation. She said his past discussions about the police board never indicated to her that he thought this was dysfunctional.

For example, she said Mayes suggested the police board weigh in on the decision to decriminalize small amounts of drugs within city limits.

"He stands up and he says we should have a debate about this. Well, this is taking your ball and going home," she said.

"This isn't having a debate, right? So what changed in a matter of weeks since last month's council meeting?"

A police spokesperson said in an email that police chief Danny Smyth spoke with Mayes Monday morning, and that he won't make a public comment.

Chambers said the board can still function with one member missing, but someone will eventually have to fill Mayes's spot. The blyaw that controls the boardstates there must be at least seven members.