Representative image of Manitoba’s police service expnsion by ev on Unsplash
Winnipeg/CMEDIA: Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today the introduction of the Police Services Amendment Act to facilitate creation of a new, layered public safety model to expand the scope and authority of community safety officers to support safety in their communities as well as enhance transit safety, a news release has said.
“Our government has listened to Manitobans…taking concrete action to help make communities safer…City of Winnipeg…team of community safety officers…to better protect their communities,” said Goertzen.
As an integral part of the public safety landscape including important work delivering crime prevention programs, Community safety officers help connecting people in need with appropriate social services, and maintaining a visible presence in the community.
The proposed amendments to the Police Services Act would expand the scope and authority of community safety officers to enforce provincial statutes and bylaws, and
“Safety on our transit system has become a significant concern for Winnipeggers…These community safety officers will also be another resource to help connect those struggling with addiction, mental health or housing challenges with the supports they need.” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg.
The Independent Review of the Manitoba Police Services Act of the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance released in November 2020, Gillingham noted contained 70 recommendations to support greater responsiveness and accountability in policing.
The introduction of the Police Services Amendment Act represents the the government’s third phase of strategy to implement the review’s recommendations, said Goertzen.
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