Police Board

Winnipeg
I

February 6, 2017

Mayor Brian Bowman
Mayor’s Office
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9

Dear Mayor Bowman,
The Winnipeg Police Board’s Indigenous Council on Policing and Crime Prevention has brought its concerns to
the Board as set out in its letter received by you on January 25, 2017. The Board noted from your reply to the
Council that you expect that the Board wifl bring a recommendation on the matter to your attention.
Accordingly, the Board met to consider this matter on February 3, 2017, and discussed the relevant concerns
with Councillor Browaty and heard and considered his response to those concerns.
The Board also considered a number of statements about his approach to dealing with Indigenous people which
were made by Councillor Browaty in meetings of the Board’s Indigenous Liaison Committee and with individual
Board members. The Board also considered the Indigenous Council’s resolution that while Councillor Browaty
may have strong skills in various areas, he does not exemplify the needs of the Indigenous community in
Winnipeg. The Board is also cognizant that you have been quite clear on the need for all City Councillors and City
Officials to have an informed understanding of the perspectives of our Indigenous community.
As a result of our discussions and considerations, the Board feels that the relationship between its Indigenous
Council and Councillor Browaty, who chairs our Board and its Indigenous Liaison Committee, is not conducive to
a good working relationship and in his capacity as Chair of the Board, will adversely affect the Board’s
relationship with the Indigenous Council.
While Councillor Browaty has indicated his willingness to keep an open mind and learn about the unique
circumstances and sensitivities of Winnipeg’s Indigenous community, the Board and the Indigenous Council feel
it is too important and too urgent to pause while a climate of trust is established between Councillor Browaty
and the Board’s Indigenous Council, if indeed it can be established.

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902-357 Main Street

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Winnipeg, Manitoba. R3B I BS

 The Board and its Indigenous Council hope that Councillor Browaty will, as he has indicated, actively seek to gain
an informed understanding of the perspectives of our Indigenous community. in the meantime however, the
Board has heard the concerns of its Indigenous Council and accepts and supports the validity of its concerns. The
Board is of the opinion that Councilior Browaty is currently not able to adequately and effectively carry out the

critical role of serving as a liaison between the community, particularly Winnipeg’s Indigenous communities, and
the Winnipeg Police Service, a role which is specifically referenced in The Police Services Act and your mandate
letter to the Councillor.
Therefore, the Board is respectfully providing you with its unanimous recommendation that, in the best interest
of the public, the Board and the Winnipeg Police Service, Councillor Browaty be replaced as Chair of the
Winnipeg Police Board.
The Board wishes to assure you that it has taken this matter very seriously, given the Board Chair’s important
leadership role in our community and the intense scrutiny and strong accountability that comes with the
position, and with due regard to the serious implications of its advice for the Councillor.
The Board would be pleased to provide any further advice or assistance that you may wish to receive.
Sincerely,

-

Barry Tuckett, Vice Chair
On behalf of the Winnipeg Police Board
cc. Councillor Jeff Browaty
Members of the Indigenous Council on Policing and Crime Prevention in Winnipeg

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