Manitoba Sherriffs will be taking on more responsibility as they take over transporting inmates and court security in Eastern Manitoba.
RCMP currently handle that role in the eastern region.
“Our government is finding ways to help free up police resources and ensure police officers are able to actively patrol our communities and focus their efforts on crime prevention, intervention and investigation,” said Cullen. “Sheriff’s officers are already responsible for inmate transportation and court security in other regions and handle their duties with dedication and professionalism.”
The province will invest $2.5 million annually to expand the Sherriffs role which will include hiring 11 more Sherriffs as well as adding several more vehicles to their fleet. The funding will also pay for air services needed to reach fly-in only communities.
The transition expected to be complete within six months and once in place will free up RCMP officers so that they can get back to patrolling the regions communities.
“The addition of 11 sheriff’s officers to transport prisoners and provide court security will ensure that RCMP officers are doing their core policing work and are there for when Manitobans need them most,” said Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy, commanding officer of the Manitoba RCMP.
Sherriffs currently are responsible for inmate transports and court security in Winnipeg and Western Manitoba. They also provide inmate transport in the north but court security in northern Manitoba is still the responsibility of the RCMP.
© News4.ca 2020
