CACP - Supporting police professionals through innovative and inclusive police leadership
Chief Danny Smyth
The Chief Constables Association of Canada was established in 1905 when fifty top police officials from across Canada met in Toronto. Among the announced goals of the Association was to establish closer ties among police departments, and to collaborate and share best practices with one another. Winnipeg Police Chief John McRae was one of the founding members of the Association that later became known as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP). Some of the early initiatives the Association explored were the challenges of new technology, police and community relations, and accountability.
Fingerprinting was one of the new technologies that Chief McRae learned about through his association with the CACP and its counterpart the International Association of Chiefs of Police. As a result of these associations, he established an Identification Unit within the Winnipeg Police becoming one of the first police departments in North America to adopt the use of fingerprinting at crime scenes, and fingerprinting of charged criminals.
Since those early days, the CACP has become more refined and developed a Constitution to guide its work. Membership in the CACP is voluntary and comprises police executives and senior managers, representatives of government, and representatives from private and non-profit sector organizations with relationships to policing. It is dedicated to supporting and promoting the protection, safety, and security of Canadians through its members’ leadership. The Association is governed by an elected President and Board of Directors. While the work CACP is involved in may be governed differently than in the early days, fundamentally it is still about collaboration and sharing best practices to meet today’s challenges.
The CACP is dedicated to the support and promotion of efficient law enforcement and to the protection and security of the people of Canada through innovative leadership. Much of the work is done through the activities of special projects and committees as directed by the Board.
The CACP has 22 working committees, many with the participation of Manitoba police agencies, bringing Manitoba concerns to the fore where solutions can be discussed with police leaders from across the country. Key to the operations of the CACP is to provide a national, cumulative influence to the federal government on issues, that not only impact policing nationally but also issues that concern provincial, regional and municipal policing. The CACP provides police in Manitoba with a strong voice in Ottawa at no cost.
I have been on the CACP Board of Directors since 2018 and have been involved with a number of initiatives and reforms that illustrate innovative leadership. This is a sampling of the kind of work CACP does that has an impact on our community:
Special Purpose Committee on Firearms
This committee delved into the emerging gun violence that was happening across Canada prior to the pandemic. A comprehensive report was produced outlining the trends of criminal gun sourcing, and the gun-related issues hampering police investigations. It also offered potential options to address these issues. With funding support from the Government of Canada’s Take Action against Gun and Gang Violence initiative, the WPS focused efforts on guns and gangs. This included establishing the Firearms Investigative Analysis Section (FIAS) with state-of-the-art equipment to determine the origins of the firearms we are encountering locally. Since establishing the section, hundreds of crime guns have been processed by FIAS. In addition, members of the WPS have seized thousands of firearms and seized millions of dollars in cash and property obtained through criminal activity. Working with the community we have helped neighbourhoods like North Point Douglas become safer. Working with law enforcement partners across the country we have dismantled sophisticated multi-jurisdictional crime groups, and have been recognized by the CACP with the Award of Excellence for Combatting Organized Crime.
Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLBGTQQIA+ - National Action Plan
In 2018 I testified at the MMIWG Inquiry along with Diane Redsky – Executive Director of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata, and Rachel Whelon – an outreach worker with lived experience. Together we presented a model that emphasizes Indigenous-led community services that are supported by the police in a collaborative way. The Winnipeg Police is a partner with Ma Mawi serving in a supporting role that focuses on the targeted enforcement of those trafficking and exploiting women, or assisting outreach workers to transport exploited women and girls to safe housing and programming provided by Ma Mawi.
Since that time a National Action Plan has been developed. Diane Redsky is the Chair of the Urban Working Group. Hilda Anderson-Pyrz is the Co-chair of the National Family and Survivor Circle. These are key components of the National Action Plan that recognize the importance of relationship building and Indigenous-led services that include families. Together, we took the opportunity to present these ideas to other police leaders at the 116th CACP Conference in 2021.
The EDI (Equity Diversity & Inclusion) Committee
What started as a special purpose committee is now a full-time committee dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion within the police profession. WPS Superintendent Dave Dalal was asked through the Board of Directors to become a member of the committee. The work of the committee has helped to inform our policies and facilitate our training in this area. In addition to Supt. Dalal’s work in this area Supt. Sutherland and Supt. Emerson has facilitated policy and training for the WPS.
Policing with Indigenous Peoples Committee
This committee provides advice on matters relating to sustainable policing services and enhanced public safety for Indigenous peoples and their communities throughout Canada. One of the initiatives of this committee was the establishment of a National Framework for protests and gatherings, which includes the deployment of Community Liaison Officers. This approach to protests and demonstrations enables the constitutional right of peaceful protest and guards against unlawful activity that would require enforcement or mass arrest. WPS Superintendent Bonne Emerson is a member of this committee. She has facilitated the training of a number of Community Liaison Officers here in Winnipeg – the first time this course has been conducted outside of Ontario.
Use of Force Advisory Committee
This committee is conducting a comprehensive review of the Use of Force Model that has been adopted by police in Canada. WPS Superintendent Chody Sutherland is a member of the working committee. She introduced the work of the WPS Officer Safety Unit to the working committee. The de-escalation of force has been emphasized as part of the WPS training curriculum since 2018. She has taken the lead in integrating de-escalation into the national model under review by the Advisory Committee.
The Winnipeg Police also have members on the Ethics, Law Amendments and Police Information and Statistics (POLIS) committees. The CACP believes in the professionalization of policing in Canada and is committed to supporting today's police professionals and to helping develop the police leaders of tomorrow through a number of programs.
· CACP Executive Global Studies Program
CACP Executive Global Studies Program is designed to introduce new competencies and global perspectives to Canada's current and future leaders in policing and related public safety agencies. The 2019 Global Studies Program was instrumental in supporting the work of the Drug Advisory Committee around the decriminalization of simple possession of illicit drugs. The collaboration between the CACP and all levels of government has paved the way for a pilot project in British Columbia to explore a transformative approach to problematic substance abuse that includes:
1. Supervised safe consumption sites
2. Decriminalization of simple possession of illicit drugs
3. Safe Supply
4. Diversion Programs
This is a good example of the CACP working through its committees to build and expand networks and joint efforts to support evidence-based research and the development and implementation of strategies that enable police to better serve their communities.
· CACP Police Executive Mentorship Program
The Executive Mentorship Program is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and ability of senior-level executives such as Deputy Chiefs, Superintendents, or equivalent, who have a career goal of becoming a Chief of Police. The WPS has participated in this program. Then WPS Superintendent Scot Halley was mentored by Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee, and was successful in being promoted to Deputy Chief in 2021. I mentored Saanich Police Inspector Robert Warren, who was also successful in being promoted to Deputy Chief in 2021. WPS Superintendent Dave Dalal is scheduled for the program in September.
· CACP/MACP Joint Leadership Conference
The theme of Leadership Development is something sought by senior officers looking to further develop knowledge and skills. As the current President of the Manitoba Association Chiefs of Police, we have worked closely with our CACP colleagues to bring a Joint Leadership Conference to Winnipeg in April 2023. This will provide greater opportunities for senior officers in Winnipeg and Manitoba to participate.
This leads me to my final point: The Winnipeg Police Service is well regarded in the police community here in Canada, and in North America. Time and time again we have demonstrated innovation, leadership, and the ability to reform and adapt to the challenges of our times.
I have been asked by my peers to take the baton and lead the work of the CACP as President for the next two years. My nomination as President of the CACP is a recognition of the exceptional work of the WPS and its members. Some have suggested that now is not the time to be invested in the CACP – that the challenges here at home are too great.
The challenges being faced here in Winnipeg are being faced by police services across the country. I would argue that the collaborative work of the CACP better positions the WPS to meet these challenges now and in the future. My tenure as CACP President would ensure the WPS is at the leading edge of police reform in Canada. This is our time to lead the way.