North Point Douglas residents honour retiring police chief

Dozens of North Point Douglas residents came together Thursday morning to thank retiring police Chief Devon Clunis for the positive impact he`s had on the neighbourhood.

"Point Douglas, ten years ago, had the highest crime rate in the City of Winnipeg, and the community decided then that we weren't going to be like that anymore," said Sel Burrows, chair of the Point Douglas Residents Committee.

Burrows says the neighbourhood has come a long way since then, and a big part of that has to do with Clunis's approach to community policing. Something that had started under Clunis's predecessor, Chief Keith McCaskill.

Members of the North Point Douglas Seniors Association, Youth Agencies Alliance and Norquay School came to say a few words of heartfelt thanks.

"We are sorry to see you go. But we all wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours. And it has been an honour and a privilege working with you," said Linda Hancock, Chair of the board of the North Point Douglas Seniors Association.

Clunis, who will retire July 9, said he was humbled by the response from the community.

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"It means everything, truly. I spent a lot of time in the North End of our city. Raised in the North End. I spent a lot of my policing years going to schools, talking with kids. Trying to impact youth was the reason why I became a police officer."

Clunis says his approach was to build relationships with the community, in order to prevent crime before it starts.

"I recognized that we can't simply police these issues away. That the root causes are what is driving some people into crime. So if we actually try to address those root cause, like creating healthy communities that will try to address it. " said Clunis.

Burrows said Chief Clunis set an example for front line police officers which resulted in a change in police attitudes and an increased commitment to crime prevention.

"He understood that poor people, inner city people, need a really good police force more than anybody," said Burrows.

"In terms of lowering the crime, drug houses, crack houses, gangs. The significant difference is immeasurable," said Sandy Dzedzora, who works with area seniors at Barber House.

Burrows says that while Point Douglas isn't perfect, the change has been deeply felt by the people in the area and it has empowered many residents to take pride in their community.

Clunis says he's not sure what's next after retirement but knows it will be something that involves working with people in the community.

Clunis was sworn in as police Chief on Nov. 2, 2012 and has put in 29 years on the force. A successor for the role has not yet been named.