Gene Bowers was officially sworn in as Winnipeg’s 19th chief of police on March 17, committing to working toward community-based solutions, restoring justice initiatives and strengthening partnerships.

The ceremony took place at the Pinnacle Club at the Princess Auto Stadium.

Bowers, who has been with the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) for 36 years, replaced former police chief Danny Smyth who retired in September. Art Stannard had been serving as acting chief.

The new police chief said that it is a “great honour” to have been selected by the Winnipeg Police Board, adding that he will “commit to serving all citizens of Winnipeg in a fair and respectful manner.”

“Today’s policing requires more than simply enforcing law. It is about serving with compassion, understanding and respect,” he said after taking the Oath of Allegiance and Office administered by provincial court Chief Judge Ryan Rolston.

“We will and should be held accountable when we are wrong,” said Bowers.

Bowers, a graduate from the U of M, said that he served as a law prevention officer while being a full-time student before serving as a foot patrol officer in the Spence neighbourhood during his early years with the WPS.

“Along my path to becoming chief, I served at each rank of the service, every day working alongside members who answered the call to serve and protect our community with professionalism and pride,” he stated.

Bowers said that he witnessed his father’s struggles with mental health who took his life when he was nine years old.

“It gave me the gift of empathy, understanding and compassion for those that have lost loved ones, not only to mental health, but to those who have lost loved ones to other tragic events,” he said.

He stated that he believed that becoming a police officer would provide him the chance to help those suffering from trauma.

“I will work toward community-based solutions to address issues related to mental health crisis to ensure that professionally trained mental health practitioners are the ones responding to people who are struggling with mental health so that people like my father will get the help they need,” he said.

Bowers shared that he was raised by a single mother and faced financial struggles, often between making the right and wrong decisions as a young teenager.

He said that the structure was brought to his life through sports, allowing him to “gain an appreciation of the true impact that our community organizations provide daily.”

“I am living proof that investment in young people during adolescence contributes to holistic development and the likely pursuit of a positive future,” he said.

Bowers committed to restoring justice initiatives, “particularly in relation to the youth in our city,” to keep them out of the justice system and vowed continued support toward the retail theft initiative.

He also committed to supporting community groups working to address food insecurity, poverty and addictions, as well as strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and leaders.

“My vision is that the Winnipeg Police Service will be a leader in reconciliation with our Indigenous communities to heal past wounds,” he said.

“And my ultimate hope is that reconciliation will be rolled into the fabric of our service.”

‘Violent crime cannot be tolerated,’ says Bowers

“As chief, I refuse to accept the level of violence this city is experiencing and will ensure its suppression strategy is deployed to meeting this challenge head on,” said Bowers.

He added that this would include focusing on repeat violent offenders and that he would implement a dedicated unit to address violent crimes.

“The Winnipeg Police will not be spectators or wait for more citizens to be victimized,” he said. “Violent crime cannot be tolerated.”

The latest WPS statistical report from 2023 shows that violent crimes were up 12.1 per cent compared to the previous year, and up 31.4 per cent from the five-year average — which is listed as being 11,469 violent crimes.

“Being chief of police is one of the most critical leadership roles in our city,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “It carries with it immense responsibility because if people don’t feel safe, then everything else in the city is affected.”

Councillor Markus Chambers, chair of the Winnipeg Police Board, said that “under Chief Bowers’s leadership, we are confident we will see significant strides in enhancing public safety while building positive and enduring relationships within our community.”

Bowers said that the WPS has a strong relationship with Security Services at the U of M and noted that they are “always willing to respond to incidents and issues that are happening” on campus.

Bowers was previously announced as Winnipeg’s next chief of police on March 7, following a comprehensive and diligent recruitment process by the Winnipeg Police Board, according to a press release.