Former Winnipeg police chief becomes Ontario's 1st inspector general of policing

Ontario hasappointed its first ever inspector general of policing, and chosenDevon Clunis,Canada's first Black police chief, to fill the role.

The province announced the new"oversight" role intended to enhance policing services and increase public trust in the province in a news release Friday.

Clunisjoined the Winnipeg Police Service in 1987 and served as Winnipeg's police chief from 2012-2016. After his retirement, he worked as aconsultant with the police.

"I am delighted to welcome Mr. Clunis as Ontario's first Inspector General of Police," said solicitor general Sylvia Jones in the news releasee.

"With his proven track record as an exceptional and transformational police leader, Mr. Clunis' contribution will be invaluable as we continue our work to ensure Ontarians receive the modern, efficient and high-quality policing services they deserve."

In this new role, Clunis willbe responsible for setting up an Inspectorate of Policing. The inspectorate will provide policing "oversight" and ensure "effective policing services" are provided across the province.

"The inspectoratethat he will establish will improve transparency and accountability to the public and help increase trust between the public and their police services," said Jones.

It is unclear how the inspectorate will align withOntario's other police watchdog agencies, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) andthe Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).

The SIU isresponsible for investigating circumstances involving police that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault, while the OIPRDreceives, manages and oversees all complaints about police in Ontario

Many in Ontario have called for police forces to be defunded, but Premier Doug Ford said he hadno plans for that back in June.

"I don't believe in that for a second," Ford said.

"I think we need strong policewithin the communities. What we do need to do is have a higher standard. We need for focus on more training."

In August, the Ford government announced it would be spending$25 million to hire 200 more Ontario Provincial Police officers.

The move came following a report on mental health, occupational stress injuries and suicide by members of the force.

New leader says police about more than just dealing with crime

Following his retirement, Clunis told CBC Manitoba that he wantedto see his replacementrecognize the importance of building safe, healthy communities and the need to tackle the deep social issues he believes are often at the root of crime.

In a previousinterview with CBC News, he saidpolicing is about more thanjust dealing with crime.

"Yes, we are here to enforce the law," said Clunis. "But, we can do it in a very compassionate way that builds a very strong relationship with the community that we serve."

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.