First Indigenous woman appointed as WPS executive

In a historic move for the city, the first Indigenous woman has been appointed to the Winnipeg Police Service Executive, heading up a new division, and a move towards more community-minded policing.

Long-time police officer Bonnie Emerson will take on the role of Superintendent of Community Engagement, a position overseeing efforts to improve safety and well-being of the city and the police service itself.

Emerson says while she understands not all groups are willing or ready to work with police, she stresses the door for dialogue is now wide open.

“The goal is that I am accountable.”

“We have done engagement, and we have done tangible action and we have done more than words and it should not be, nor is it going to be, one and done,” said Emerson.

The new position comes at a time when the police are dealing with additional stress with violent crime on the rise, specifically among Indigenous women.

Emerson says while she understands there is more work needed within the service to build, and rebuild relationships, she also wants to showcase work she says is already underway.

“With policing and community policing it has evolved and changed and I just want to just state unequivocally that I’m proud of the Winnipeg Police Service, and our members, the depth and the level of caring. What we have done a really poor job of, and this is on me, is not sharing with the public the depth of caring and the amount of work.”

She says the reason the work has not been highlighted in the past is because officers and the service are humble.

Emerson stressed it’s important people know efforts are underway to reach out and engage, but says police need willing community partners to make a difference.

“My call to them is please work with us, if you’re saying there is a need, then let’s coordinate and work together.”

Emerson, a 30-year member of the force, was introduced to the Winnipeg Police Board last week. Following the meeting, Chief Danny Smyth says the appointment is an important one for the service.

“I think Bonnie is in the right place at the right time,” said Smyth. “In the last decade or more, she’s been assigned to the North End, she’s done a lot of significant community work in the North End and if you look at her portfolio, she does a lot in the community off the job as well, so I think she’s really well-positioned to help us in this regard.”

However, Winnipeg Police Association President Maurice Sabourin says while he supports the intent of the new position, he questions the move to expand the executive.

“We are very top heavy,” said Sabourin. “Very top heavy and it comes with a financial burden. If you take the millions of dollars of the five superintendents, you’d have 10 extra constables on the street.”

Emerson says she’s ready to do the work and will rely on her experience at the community level.

“There needs to be a little bit of give and take. And with the community leaders, I have had two years of engaging, with more than just a couple of those who are refusing to engage and refusing to engage publicly, so there’s accountability on us, but accountability on leadership.”