Manitoba’s Police Services Act requires that each municipality operating a police service, establish a police board to oversee its operations. The Police Services Act was introduced to modernize police governance and oversight in the province and it replaces the antiquated Provincial Police Act. The requirement for Police Boards to oversee the operations of police services represents best practices in Canadian law enforcement, no matter the size of police services.
The Police Board for the RM of Victoria Beach are:
- Liz Murray, Chairperson
- Tim Flook, Provincial appointee
- Cathy Finnbogasin, Council appointee
- Irwin Kumka, VB Council representative
- Andrew Smith, Council appointee
The purpose of a police board is to provide
- (a) civilian governance respecting the enforcement of law, the maintenance of the public peace and the prevention of crime in the municipality; and
- (b) the administrative direction and organization required to provide an adequate and effective police service in the municipality.
The police board must
- (a) after consulting with the police chief, establish priorities and objectives for the police service;
- (b) establish policies for the effective management of the police service;
- (c) direct the police chief and monitor his or her performance; and
- (d) perform any other prescribed duties.
- (e) ensure that the police chief establishes programs and strategies to implement the priorities and objectives established by the board for the police service;
- (f) ensure that community needs and values are reflected in the policing priorities, objectives, programs and strategies;
- (g) ensure that police services are delivered in a manner consistent with community needs, values and expectations; and
- (h) act as a liaison between the community and the police service.
The police board may give orders and directions to the police chief, but not to other police officers. No individual member of the board may give an order or direction to any police officer. The police board must not give orders or directions on specific operational decisions, individual investigations or the day-to-day operation of the police service.
The Police Board holds quarterly public meetings annually. Meeting times may vary depending on Board members availability.