Police board formalizes appointment of new chief Danny Smyth

The Winnipeg Police Board has approved the appointment of Danny Smyth as the new chief of the Winnipeg Police Service.

In a unanimous vote a formality, essentially the police board accepted the recommendation of its search committee to promote Smyth, a deputy chief, to the head of the Winnipeg Police Service.

• Deputy Chief Danny Smyth to be promoted to Winnipeg's new chief of police

Smyth will be sworn in on Tuesday. No council approval is required, as he'sthe first chief appointed by Winnipeg's police board.

At Smyth's last meeting as a deputy chief, the board also approved a first edition of anew use-of-force policy that includes a call to train officers to de-escalate situations involving mentally ill people experiencing crises.

• Winnipeg police asked to find ways to reduce violence against mentally ill people in crisis

Smyth said the officers already engage in extensive de-escalation training but he appreciates the policy direction.

The police board is seeking public comment on the new use-of-force policy via the City of Winnipeg website.

The police board also approved a transfer of $2 million within the police budget to cover salary overruns related to a smaller-than-expected number of retirements.

Some of the cash will come from a case-management system that's been put off for this year.

'I am excited about it, I hope to hit the ground running.'

8 years ago

Duration 1:08

The appointment of Danny Smyth as Winnipeg's new police chief has been formalized by the Winnipeg Police Board. Smyth, who is taking over from Devon Clunis as the city's top cop, will be sworn in on Tuesday.

The incoming chief also made it clearthere's no room in Winnipegpolicing for the surveillance of journalists.

Quebec provincial police have confirmed that six members of the press were spied on.Smyth says that has not happened and will not happen here.

"That isn't something that I would endorse. We haven't nor do we intend to surveil media," he said. "Media plays an important role in our society and certainly, there is no room for us as a police service to interfere in that."