The First Black Police Chief in Canada’s History is Jamaican
Devon Clunis was born in Harmony Vale in the garden parish of St Ann and moved to Canada at the tender age of twelve.
He is one of many Jamaican nationals who have migrated and are achieving phenomenal feats.
His prestigious appointment as Winnipeg’s police chief in November 2012 made him the first black man to earn the coveted position in Canada’s history.
What makes his achievement so remarkable is why he decided to become a police officer.
When he applied to be a Winnipeg cop in 1987, his main objective was to break the stereotype that police cruisers’ backseats are reserved for Blacks.
He also thought the job would help him become a role model for his young nephews. Clunis was elated to be accepted, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect to rise to the top of the service and make history as Canada’s first Black police chief.
“I am passionate about the City of Winnipeg and over the course of my career, I have been given great opportunities to help lead the organization…I applied for the chief position because I thought it was really important that the person taking over should have a great understanding of our organization and the city instead of just simply wanting to be chief…Every position for which I have applied was done simply because I felt there was a need to serve the organization and our citizens.”
See video with Chief Clunis taking the Oath of Office below:
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It is always good to see a fellow Jamaican doing well, wherever. Given a fair opportunity Jamaicans will always strive, lets hope others will be encouraged by Devon’s example.
Jamaicans always do well in their endeavors. Sometimes we are just timid about Jamaicans being criticized and stereotyped. I wish this young well and pray for his safety while he serves and protects. Blessings abound.
I’m extremely proud of this Jamaican and I just want to wish him all the success in his endeavour.
Well done Clunis, congratulations
Very good Clunis, keep on doing good..
great!!! Congrats
Congrats, all the best Chief Clunis in your new role,
Thank you for reminding us that the sky is the limit. Congratulations and keep up the good work, Jamaica and Jamaicans are indeed proud of your achievement.
As a Jamaican living in Toronto, Canada, words cannot express how I feel that a Jamaican is now Canada’s first black Police Chief! Congrats chief Devon Clunis! You have made us all proud!
As a Jamaican living in Toronto, Canada, words cannot express how I feel that a Jamaican is now Canada’s first black Police Chief! Congrats chief Devon Clunis! You have made us all proud!
Jamaica make history again
Congratulations and God be with you always!
I AM SO PROUD…………
wow congrats to u sir u make me feel so proud
im proud to be from the same parish you from st ann jamaica
Wow, I love that,anyways what due to sizer give it to sizer..good job sr
Good to hear a Jamaican talking so intelligently. Proud of your achievement, sir. May the Blessings of Heaven and protection of our Creator be upon you! May you remain humble and give glory to God!
I am particularly proud of your achievement Mr. Clunis. I congratulate you as a fellow Jamaican and someone who resided in Winnipeg in the early 70s. I wish you every success during your term in office.
JamRock to the world
proud of you Devon, do your best with God’s guidance
Nice to see Jamaicans excelling and bringing positive contributions to the world. Congrats.
Proud of him.
Sweet May God Stand by your side i am so proud today is History For him self and is Country
I am not a Jamaican but I am black and a West Indian and to me this story and his achievement is more than He just been a Jamaican but more so been a black man in a more predominantly white populace and rising to such an elevated position. His achievement should be an inspiring one to all blacks and more so West Indians through out the world.
I am not a Jamaican but I am black and a West Indian and to me this story and his achievement is more than He just been a Jamaican but more so been a black man in a more predominantly white populace and rising to such an elevated position. His achievement should be an inspiring one to all blacks and more so West Indians through out the world.
I am not a Jamaican but I am black and a West Indian and to me this story and his achievement is more than He just been a Jamaican but more so been a black man in a more predominantly white populace and rising to such an elevated position. His achievement should be an inspiring one to all blacks and more so West Indians through out the world.
CONGRATS! HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE DOES PAY OFF! PEACE!
CONGRATS! HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE DOES PAY OFF! PEACE
Big up tuh Jamaica finest.
Excellent !
As a Jamaican/Canadian I feel a sense of pride of your accomplishments. Congratulations Chief Clunis.
Chief Clunis is a great human being. He is a real people person. He is loved and respected in Winnipeg.
Congratulation Sir, you make us feel proud.
Congratulations Mr clunis I am truly proud of you for being the first black police chief in Canada god bless family
Well done
Feeling extremely proud!!
What a special man! I am so proud of him. May God bless him.
This should make us feel proud of our heritage. If we are ambitious and maintain our focus we will get there. Congratulations on your achievement Sir.
I am very happy and proud of you Devon ‘ congratulations ” I am praying for your safety. good luck ****
Hyacinth Joyce Gyles
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OMG, THAT IS AWESOME. CONGRATS TO YOU SIR AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,I AM SO PROUD TO BE A JAMAICAN.
Omg! He is from the same district like my dad. Congrats Mr Clunis!
woooow thats very encouragin this a challenge to other jamaican that we’re not aimless and wi likkle but wi tallawahs
Add a comment…awww so proud of yuh sir!!!!!congratulations in yur endeavours
Congrats—hard work and dedication always pay off. I am so proud of you and I just feel that you will do the right thing. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. God bless
Congratulations
Chief Clunis, I lift my hat to you. The Jamaican community local and abroad is very proud of you. Keep on doing what you doing to keep the community safe and may God protect you as you protect His people to create a safe and secure place to live
Yes! Yes! Well done mr Clunis you have made us Jamaican proud,heads up and Stan tall
Proud of him.Thank God for our little island and i pray that you will bestow upon us your love and affection.
exemplary!!!!
when we are not a threat it is easier to thrive Winnipeg or Manitoba is one such place, it is not so in other Provinces. For Blacks in general.While it is wonderful there are Black children born here who struggle daily, NOVA Scotia have had black there since 1900 from Jamaica& USA railroad and they struggle still so there it still along way,There are many accomplished Blacks but not enough, let us continue to hope for change. we are all equal.
Great achievement officer. Congratulations and God’s blessings. We are proud of you.
I’m so proud of you. To God be all the glory great things he has done. Serve well my brother. And God will continue to see you through. You make us Jamaicans so proud of you.
Congrats
nice they got a Yaadi to take over the oppression of natives.
Jamaica,Jamaica, my island in the sun.May your offspring continue to grow far and wide. God bless you.
we are bless and most of the world bigger countrys thing we jamaicans are not worth good people tell u what the really dont know us as they thing god bless you mr devon all the best to you and your family
Mr Clunis you make me proud to be a Jamaican. In other words proud to see the excellence of my Jamaican young men and I am especially proud that we were born in St ann. May God richly bless and keep you safe as you serve the people.
Congratulation to you.As a Jamaican, we are talented, unique and bright. I wish for you God’s richest blessing in all your endeavors. You make Jamaicans proud.
Well done Clunis, congratulations It is always good to see a fellow Jamaican doing well, wherever. Given a fair opportunity Jamaicans will always.
I’m so proud of him and what he has achieved, what makes me even more proud is that he’s from the same rural community that I was born and grown up in. I don’t know him personally but he’s such an inspiration not just for me but others in the community and all over Jamaica, may God bless him and guide him
Congratulations, always good to see fellow Jamaicans making our country proud.
Congrats, well done.
we little but we talawah meaning we little but we big.Hail to de chief
YOU MADE US PROUD
Thumbs up to Mr. Devon Clunis
Thumbs up to Mr. Devon Clunis
Congratulations Chief Clunis. Continue to keep your and Jamaica’s integrity and flag flying high.
when we are not a threat it is easier to thrive Winnipeg or Manitoba is one such place, it is not so in other Provinces. For Blacks in general.While it is wonderful there are Black children born here who struggle daily, NOVA Scotia have had black there since 1900 from Jamaica& USA railroad and they struggle still so there it still along way,There are many accomplished Blacks but not enough, let us continue to hope for change. we are all equal.
Proud of him.Thank God for our little island and i pray that you will bestow upon us your love and affection.
It is always good to see a fellow Jamaican doing well, wherever. Given a fair opportunity Jamaicans will always strive, lets hope others will be encouraged by Devon’s example.
Jamaica make history again
Proud of him.
Chief Clunis, I lift my hat to you. The Jamaican community local and abroad is very proud of you. Keep on doing what you doing to keep the community safe and may God protect you as you protect His people to create a safe and secure place to live
I’m extremely proud of this Jamaican and I just want to wish him all the success in his endeavour.
Omg! He is from the same district like my dad. Congrats Mr Clunis!
Jamaicans always do well in their endeavors. Sometimes we are just timid about Jamaicans being criticized and stereotyped. I wish this young well and pray for his safety while he serves and protects. Blessings abound.
As a Jamaican living in Toronto, Canada, words cannot express how I feel that a Jamaican is now Canada’s first black Police Chief! Congrats chief Devon Clunis! You have made us all proud!
im proud to be from the same parish you from st ann jamaica
I AM SO PROUD…………
I am very happy and proud of you Devon ‘ congratulations ” I am praying for your safety. good luck ****
Hyacinth Joyce Gyles
Thank you for reminding us that the sky is the limit. Congratulations and keep up the good work, Jamaica and Jamaicans are indeed proud of your achievement.
Feeling extremely proud!!
Good to hear a Jamaican talking so intelligently. Proud of your achievement, sir. May the Blessings of Heaven and protection of our Creator be upon you! May you remain humble and give glory to God!
wow congrats to u sir u make me feel so proud
Very good Clunis, keep on doing good..
What a special man! I am so proud of him. May God bless him.
Congratulations Mr clunis I am truly proud of you for being the first black police chief in Canada god bless family
Big up tuh Jamaica finest.
Add a comment…awww so proud of yuh sir!!!!!congratulations in yur endeavours
great!!! Congrats
This should make us feel proud of our heritage. If we are ambitious and maintain our focus we will get there. Congratulations on your achievement Sir.
I am not a Jamaican but I am black and a West Indian and to me this story and his achievement is more than He just been a Jamaican but more so been a black man in a more predominantly white populace and rising to such an elevated position. His achievement should be an inspiring one to all blacks and more so West Indians through out the world.
JamRock to the world
Congrats, all the best Chief Clunis in your new role,
Chief Clunis is a great human being. He is a real people person. He is loved and respected in Winnipeg.
Congratulation Sir, you make us feel proud.
As a Jamaican/Canadian I feel a sense of pride of your accomplishments. Congratulations Chief Clunis.
CONGRATS! HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE DOES PAY OFF! PEACE
proud of you Devon, do your best with God’s guidance
Excellent !
Congratulations and God be with you always!
I am particularly proud of your achievement Mr. Clunis. I congratulate you as a fellow Jamaican and someone who resided in Winnipeg in the early 70s. I wish you every success during your term in office.
Wow, I love that,anyways what due to sizer give it to sizer..good job sr
Well done Clunis, congratulations
I’m so proud of you. To God be all the glory great things he has done. Serve well my brother. And God will continue to see you through. You make us Jamaicans so proud of you.
nice they got a Yaadi to take over the oppression of natives.
Great achievement officer. Congratulations and God’s blessings. We are proud of you.
Yes! Yes! Well done mr Clunis you have made us Jamaican proud,heads up and Stan tall
exemplary!!!!
Congrats
Congratulations
Congrats—hard work and dedication always pay off. I am so proud of you and I just feel that you will do the right thing. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. God bless
woooow thats very encouragin this a challenge to other jamaican that we’re not aimless and wi likkle but wi tallawahs
Well done
Sweet May God Stand by your side i am so proud today is History For him self and is Country
Nice to see Jamaicans excelling and bringing positive contributions to the world. Congrats.
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Very nice to see a Jamaican and a black person being given this job.
CONGRATS! HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE DOES PAY OFF! PEACE!