Crime Reduction Support Teams Having an Impact on Rural Crime
July 27, 2020

Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Teams Update
BKG-Crime_Reduction_Teams-JUS.pdf

Since the Manitoba government invested $1.9 million to expand Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) crime reduction enforcement support teams, they have been involved in dozens of matters that have resulted in a number of arrests, drug seizures and the return of stolen property, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.

"The results from across the province are impressive, and these enforcement efforts are making a difference in our communities," said Cullen. "The RCMP's specialized teams focus on chronic offenders and drug dealers who threaten the safety and well-being of everyone in our province. This investment is one important component of our government's overall plan to reduce crime and help ensure Manitobans feel safe in our communities."

The crime reduction enforcement support teams have been involved in dozens of investigations, which have led to criminal charges against 43 people and the seizure of more than $76,000 and 46 firearms. More than 20 stolen vehicles have been recovered and, wherever possible, returned to their owners. Illicit drugs, primarily cocaine and methamphetamine, have also been seized and destroyed.

The province's investment in the crime reduction and enforcement teams was announced in November 2019. It added two new officers to the existing team in the north, and created two new teams in the RCMP's eastern and western districts.

"The RCMP Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Teams are based in strategic locations across Manitoba and work closely with intelligence analysts to determine who and what specific areas they should target to reduce criminal activity," said Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy, Commanding Officer for the Manitoba RCMP. "We are pleased to see that these teams are already having a significant impact on rural crime and have no doubt that they will continue to do so in the months and years to come."

This initiative builds on the Policing and Public Safety Strategy released in May 2019 and is funded as part of Manitoba's Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan. This action plan addresses escalating addiction and crime rates across the province through treatment, education and enforcement initiatives. Enforcement initiatives include:

  • a Crime Stoppers campaign in Winnipeg, Brandon and rural Manitoba and providing more cash for drug tips;
  • tactical enforcement efforts by the Winnipeg Police Service to respond to drug intelligence;
  • more resources for the province's Public Safety Investigations Unit;
  • connections between RCMP and municipal police forces and supporting joint forces operations to crack down on crime;
  • civil forfeiture changes to turn seized drug money and assets into resources for police; and
  • community networks where government and non-government organizations coordinate local crime prevention efforts.

The RCMP is Manitoba's provincial police service of record. It serves about 580 communities and are responsible for policing over 90 per cent of the land in the province, covering more than 465,000 square kilometres. It currently has nearly 1,000 sworn police officers and nearly 500 civilian employees.

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