View From the Legislature

Late last year, I was pleased to participate in an announcement to establish an integrated policing unit specifically dedicated to arresting violent criminals that are wanted on warrants in Manitoba. This unit would comprise officers from both the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), the Manitoba RCMP and other supporting agencies from across the province.

The cooperation between different law enforcement agencies from around the province has long been important to improving public safety. Because criminals do not operate within municipal or provincial boundaries, it is important that our policing agencies are cooperating across boundaries as well.

Last week, the Winnipeg Police Service announced some of the preliminary results of this new unit. Only a few weeks into its operation, and not yet fully staffed with officers, the unit has already arrested 21 individuals who were wanted and deemed to be dangerous offenders. While these numbers are sure to grow as the unit fully comes together, it is already having a significant impact as it is often a small number of individuals who are causing or involved in a very large number of crimes. In fact, one of the individuals which the new unit arrested, as reported by the WPS, is a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang who was wanted for robbery, aggravated assault and five counts of failure to comply with a recognizance order.

In addition to this new integrated unit dedicated to arresting those with outstanding warrants, our government also has provided funding for two additional integrated units. An integrated missing persons unit will provide for dedicated support to help find those across the province who are at risk and missing. As well, an integrated unit to support children who have been abused has been funded and a new centre is under construction to offer a safe place for Manitoba children who need this critical support.

Further efforts to help different aspects of law enforcement work together are well underway. On Wednesday, I was in Brandon along with Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt to announce a new centralized dispatch service for Manitoba conservation officers that will be out of the Brandon Public-Safety Communication Centre.

For Manitoba’s conservation officers, who are often working in remote areas of the province, this will both enhance their safety and their ability to connect to other law enforcement and emergency personnel when there is a situation that needs their support. This integration is another way of protecting those who are dedicated to protecting our communities.

Our government is committed to working to improve safety in all parts of our province. Working together with law enforcement officials we know that we can see more positive results in the months ahead. I look forward to updating you on the progress of other provincial justice initiatives.