Winnipeg Police Service are testing out a new way for police to interact with break and enter victims. The Virtual Police Response pilot project will use video calling as a way for police to respond to both residential and commercial break-ins in a more timely and efficient manner.
Using the FaceTime and Google Duo apps police will contact the person reporting a break-in incident and conduct a virtual walk through of the scene. The walk through will help determine which additional resources may be needed at the scene like forensic officers or investigators.
If the pilot project is successful wait times for police response for these types of incident should be reduced.
Police say that people reporting crimes are not under any obligation to consent participate in the program and that they will not be recording the virtual response in any capacity.
The project is funded by the City of Winnipeg’s Innovation Strategy Program.
© News4.ca 2020
