The chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board has been reprimanded for breaching its code of ethics, which he blames on a misunderstanding.
A document published Wednesday notes the board received a written complaint about the conduct of Coun. Markus Chambers on April 2. At a private April 24 meeting, the board found Chambers had breached section 5 of the code, which states members must not speak on behalf of the board unless the board authorizes them to do so.
“The board chair, Markus Chambers, is to receive a verbal reprimand,” the document notes.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Markus Chambers, councillor and chair of the Winnipeg Police Board.
The chairman said he was found at fault for telling Mayor Scott Gillingham about a complaint of an alleged ethics breach by then-board member Kyle Mason before informing the board itself, which he didn’t realize was not allowed.
“Administratively, I was just doing what I thought was in the best interests of the city and the board. I briefed the mayor … and while Mayor Gillingham sits on the board, I did brief him prior to briefing other members of the board,” said Chambers.
“There was no intent here to lessen the importance of briefing the board. There was no ill intent here. (The members just) want to be informed first,” he added.
Chambers indicated the mistake was part of a learning curve, since allegations of ethical breaches on the board are rare.
City council approved a motion to replace Mason on the police board in May, after the board said he had breached the code of ethics.
Mason told the Free Press he resigned after the board questioned him about a driving offence, which involved driving without vehicle insurance after he mixed up a renewal date.
A separate police board document, which was also posted online Wednesday, states the board found Mason was in breach of seven sections of the code. Those rules require members to keep private board information confidential, discharge duties in a way that inspires public confidence, refrain from acting unlawfully or engaging in conduct that would compromise the integrity of the board, respect individual dignity and rights, not use their office to advance their own interests, follow a conflict-of-interest policy and adhere to police board policies and procedures.
Mason said he had not seen the document on Wednesday, so he was not prepared to comment on it.
“I don’t know how things get categorized and I don’t really have a lot more to add, except that I wish the board well in their work,” he said.
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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
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