Coun. Brian Mayes returns to Winnipeg Police Board 3 years after resignation

Winnipeg city councillor Brian Mayes has returned to the Winnipeg Police Board, nearly three years after he resigned from the body he described at the time as “dysfunctional.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham supported Mayes’s reappointment, saying he expects the St. Vital councillor to play a constructive role.

“I support Coun. Mayes putting his name forward to serve on the police board,” Gillingham told reporters.

“I think he’ll do an excellent job.”

Speaking to reporters after the vote, Mayes said he decided to rejoin the board after no other councillors stepped forward, and because circumstances have changed since his resignation in 2022.

“No one else stepped up, and I thought I should do this again,” Mayes said.

“Different chief of police, different people on the board.”

Mayes stepped down from the police board in March 2022, arguing the board’s relationship with council had broken down.

In a tweet announcing his resignation at the time, he said the relationship had become “dysfunctional, with ongoing arguments over respective roles and jurisdiction.”

His departure came during a period of heightened tension over police accountability, including criticism from fellow councillors who argued the board needed to ask tougher questions of police leadership.

Encouraged by new direction

Mayes said he’s encouraged by the direction set by Winnipeg’s current police chief, Gene Bowers.

“The new chief is saying some stuff I agree with,” he said. “He wants to press forward with the body-worn cameras, and I would support him on that.”

Mayes also said he wants to advocate for improved police access in Winnipeg’s rapidly growing south end.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting of the Winnipeg Police Board earlier this month, Bowers said he thinks a south district police station will be needed in the future.

“There’s been a huge explosion in population in the southeast and the southwest,” Mayes said. “People have to go a long way to have any contact with the police.”

Asked Thursday whether Mayes’s past criticism of the police board raised concerns about his return, Gillingham downplayed the issue.

“That’s a question for Coun. Mayes,” the mayor said. “I’m certainly looking forward to supporting his name going forward to serve on the police board at this time.”

Council voted unanimously to approve Mayes’ appointment. He joins Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood Coun. Evan Duncan as the second council member on the board.

Council also approved the appointment of Colleen Mayer as the new police board chair.