New chief: Add prayer to police arsenal

• Tweet

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The incoming police chief of Canada's violent crime capital says people of all faiths in Winnipeg, Manitoba, should pray for a safer city.

Acting Chief Devon Clunis, a Jamaican-born Christian, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. he didn't want to see the city remain the murder capital of Canada.

"If you're praying for your neighbor, I don't think you'll be out there hating your neighbor or fighting with your neighbor," he said.

Clunis, 48, has been with the force for 25 years, most recently also serving as the force chaplain. He was appointed the first black chief earlier this month and will be sworn in later this year, the CBC said.

However, University of Manitoba ethicist Arthur Schafer told the broadcaster he disagrees.

"I think it's entirely inappropriate for a chief of police, in his role as chief of police, to be advocating prayer either to his colleagues on the police force or to the general public," Schafer said. "No one chose him to be police of our souls."