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

The Winnipeg Police Board looked within the ranks of the Winnipeg Police Service when the time came to select a new chief to succeed Devon Clunis.

Following a national search, the police board is recommending the promotion of Deputy Chief Danny Smyth, a born-and-raised Winnipegger with more than 30 years with the police service.

Police board chairman Coun. Scott Gillingham said the board will make the formal recommendation on Nov. 4. Smyth will be sworn in on Nov. 8.

Speaking to reporters and senior police officials at city hall, Smyth pledged to continue Clunis' efforts to engage Winnipeggers and address the socio-economic issues that serve as the root causes of crime.

"We have gone from being a traditional reactive model of policing to one that I think is better engaged in the community that we serve," he said. "No longer are we just reacting to calls for service."

He also said the police will operate against a "backdrop of fiscal restraint" and suggested a re-organization of the police service is imminent.

Smyth also said the police need to manage overtime more effectively. While that may prove to be a sticking point with the Winnipeg Police Association, he declined to comment on pending negotiations with the union, whose contract expires in December.

Both Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman and Manitoba Justice Minister Heather Stefanson each issued statements congratulating Smyth, who most recently served as deputy chief of investigations.

That role placed Smyth front and centre as the city grappled with the murder of Tina Fontaine.

According to the police board, Smyth also served the police in uniform and undercover, the latter as a member of both the vice unit and surveillance unit. He has a masters degree in organizational management and has been a criminal-justice lecturer at the University of Winnipeg.

Smyth said he wants to build on the legacy of engagement established by Clunis, who led the Winnipeg Police Service from November 2012 until his retirement in July 2016. Art Stannard has been acting chief since then, while Smyth served as one of three deputy chiefs.

Clunis, the first black police chief in Canada, began his career with the Winnipeg Police Service in 1987. He succeeded Keith McCaskill, who was the chief from 2007 until 2012.

As Clunis wrapped up his career, he told CBC News he worked hard to change the nature of policing, particularly by embedding the police service more in the community. He expressed hope his successor would work toward building safe, healthy communities and tackle the social issues often at the root of crime.

"Yes, we're here to enforce the law, but we can do it in a very compassionate way that builds a very strong relationship with the community that we serve," he said at the time.

Indigenous leaders said Monday they expect the relationship between the city and their community to remain just as strong under Smyth.

Sheila North Wilson, Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, offered even higher praise for the incoming chief.

"Every time I've had interactions with Danny Smyth it was always respectful and positive and I felt that he was genuine. I didn't always feel that with the former police chief and even with some of the spokespeople from the Winnipeg police," she said in a telephone interview.

"But with Danny Smyth, I always thought he gave at least a level of respect even though there were uncertainties, I always felt that he respected me as a person rather than questioning or making me feel like I was not worthy of respect."