Council fills spot left open on Winnipeg's police board after failed security check

A seat on the police board empty since July has been filed by veteran politician Brian Mayes aftercouncil voted on Tuesday to give the spot to the St. Vital councillor.

The space was vacant whenCoun.Vivian Santos resigned aftershe failed a police background check required for all members of that board.

Mayes passed the background check, butdeclined to comment directly on what happened to Santos, other than to say she was his first pick for the seat last summer and does believea review of how the security checksare done is needed.

"We should revisit how that's done. I don't know how exactly. People are saying you could refer it to the RCMP, but the first thing the RCMP might do is pick up the phone and call Winnipeg police," Mayes said.

After Santos' failed security check, some Winnipeggers questioned whetherthe Winnipeg Police Service should beresponsible for a background check on individuals who maintain oversight of the service.

Santos told CBC News she supports Mayes'appointment and pledged to work with him and board chair Markus Chambers.

"Both do know the challenges our city faces with respect to policing and the communities request for more citizen oversight and potential reform," Santos said in a written statement.

Santos saidshe is "still working on clearing my name and reviewing different legal avenues."

Mayes acknowledged it has been a "controversial year" for police services across North America with demonstrationscalling to defund police.

"I don't claim to have all the answers. I obviously come to this not a visible minority; I haven't had a lot of experiences other people have had with police. I think I've got things to learn I'll be asking questions that's my role," Mayes said.