Bowman and Clunis play nice over Winnipeg police cost questions

Mayor Brian Bowman has stepped into the fray between the police service and a city councillor in an effort to mend fences.

He met with police ChiefDevonClunis on the weekend and then the pair held a news conference on Monday to show mutual support.

"There was a conversation and, you know, the way I like to work, again, I say, is very cooperative, said Clunis. I think it's important if there seems to be some type of fraction that you meet together and you sit and discuss. It's the only way to go forward."

Bowmansaid the meeting helped smooth tensions.

"We are all on the same page when it comes to looking forefficiencies, said Bowman, addingas well as making sure the men and women of the Winnipeg Police Service know that they have the support ofWinnipeggers."

• Police fire back at 'disrespectful' Winnipeg councillor
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Clunisdefended comments made last Thursday by his Deputy Chief Art Stannard, who refused to answer a question by Coun. Marty Morantz.

"I support the deputy chief," said Clunis. "I have spoken with our deputy chief and I support fully what our deputy chief said and the comments that I read.I would have taken the same actions"

Morantz, chair of thecity's finance committee, asked for budget information,suggesting the police service might be bloated with too many officers.Stannard told Morantzthe WPSanswers to the police board, not the finance committee.

"Contrary tosome of what we might have seen very recently in the media, certainly we have a great working relationship," said Clunis."And we intend to maintain that going forward in the best interests of the citizens that we serve."

Stannardtold a police board meetingthat Morantz was 'disrespectful' and accused him of causing 'fear' by suggesting layoffs could be in order.

"We don't have officers standing around doing nothing," hesaid Friday."It'sclearly obvious some people don't know the role of police."

On Monday,Bowman said it is clear toeveryone now that police report to the police board.

But, he added, finance chair Coun. Morantzis under a lot of pressure to find efficiencies in the spending of various city departments.

"We are in a very difficult budget process, one of the most difficult budgets to date, and our finance chair and other members are going to ask those questions, said Bowman. But there should be no confusion about our level of support for the Winnipeg Police Service."

He said elected officials will continue to ask hard questions but are more aware now of where to aim them.