Devon Clunis facts for kids

Devon Clunis is a Canadian law enforcement officer. He served as the chief of the Winnipeg Police Service from 2012 until 2016. He made history as the first Black Canadian to become a police chief in Canada.

Early Life and Career

Devon Clunis was born in Jamaica in 1964. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Winnipeg, Canada. They settled in the city's North End neighborhood.

Clunis joined the Winnipeg Police Service in 1987. During his career, he worked in many different areas. These included patrolling streets, managing traffic, and conducting investigations. He also worked in community relations and helped with the police force's organization.

He earned a university degree in divinity. This means he studied religion and spiritual matters. He also served as the police force's chaplain, offering spiritual support.

Leading the Police Service

In November 2012, Devon Clunis became the chief of the Winnipeg Police Service. As chief, he strongly supported community policing. This is a way of policing where officers work closely with people in neighborhoods. They build trust and solve problems together.

Clunis continued community policing efforts in areas like North Point Douglas. These efforts had started under the previous chief, Keith McCaskill. Clunis believed that working with the community was very important.

Retirement and Legacy

Devon Clunis retired from the police force in July 2016. To celebrate, he ate a doughnut. This was special because he had promised himself not to eat one during his nearly 30 years on the force.

Clunis hoped that the next police chief would continue his focus on community policing. He also wanted them to address social issues that can lead to crime.

On February 7, 2017, Clunis received a special honor. He was given the Lieutenant Governor's Award for the Advancement of Interreligious Understanding. This award recognized his work in promoting understanding between different religions.