The next leader of the Winnipeg Police Department looks set to emerge from the group's current ranks.
Colleen Mayer is recommended to lead the board that oversees the Winnipeg Police Service, a city report says.
In an interview, Mayer said she hopes to ensure police are as connected as possible to the communities they serve.
MICHAELA MCKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Police Board vice-chair Colleen Mayer has been recommended to lead the board, succeeding former chair Cone. Marcus Chambers.
“The community voices that helped us develop the (WPS) strategic plan…those are the voices that matter. We are the civilian liaison between the community and (police),” she said.
The Winnipeg Police Board is leading the WPS strategic plan.
In addition to strengthening public trust in the police service, Mayer said the well-being of frontline officers, including police officers and others, is also a top priority.
“They are our greatest asset, and if they are not healthy, it interferes with the work they do to protect us and serve us,” she said.
Mayer currently serves as interim chairman of the board and has been a board member since March 2022, except for a five-day hiatus last year.
She will be appointed as council leader by Mayor Scott Gillingham pending a final vote by the City Council.
“Colleen Mayer played a key role as Vice Chair of the Police Board, helping to hire a new chief and develop a new strategic plan. I served alongside her, and I am confident that her experience and knowledge of public administration will provide stable leadership as the board puts this plan into action,” Gillingham said in a written statement.
Mayer previously served as a former Progressive Conservative MLA for St. Vital and currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Rural Municipality of Armstrong.
Since childhood, she has had a keen interest in law enforcement and once even applied to become an RCMP officer.
“I've always valued this role, justice, police work. So I've always been drawn to that kind of work. I think that's what brought me here,” she said.
Another proposal recommends appointing a count. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) will become vice chairman of the board. He is also a current board member.
After Cone, the position of chairman remained vacant. Marcus Chambers (St Norbert-Seine) resigned in October, citing unspecified “personal health” issues.
Mayer said she expects the City Council to announce a new member to fill the board vacancy on Thursday.
X: @joyanne_pursaga
Joyanne is a City Hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing about City Hall and the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for Winnipeg Sun before joining Free press at the beginning of 2020. More about Joanna.
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