The Manitoba government and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are allocating $2 million to enhance the province’s Operational Communications Centre, aiming to improve emergency response efficiency during violent crimes and critical incidents. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced the funding Thursday, emphasizing its role in equipping law enforcement with “resources needed to respond to emergencies in the moments when it matters most.”
Boosting emergency response capacity
The upgraded center—Manitoba’s primary dispatch hub for RCMP emergency calls—will add six new RCMP officers and ten public service dispatchers to enable 24/7 risk management support. Wiebe notes the expansion ensures faster connections between officers and communities, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.
“Providing law enforcement with the tools they need to keep Manitobans safe and to get tough on crime is a priority for our government.”
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) endorsed the investment, with President Kathy Valentino calling it “timely and essential” amid rising demands on front-line officers.
“With front-line officers dealing with repeat prolific offenders and expanded responsibilities that extend beyond traditional law enforcement, these additional resources are both timely and essential.”
Addressing rural and northern crime
A new 24/7 Member Operational Support Services (MOSS) unit, staffed by the additional RCMP sergeants, will provide real-time guidance to dispatchers and officers. Wiebe adds that expanding dispatcher numbers will stabilize support for both law enforcement and the public.
The funding follows recent provincial efforts to tackle rural crime, including $3.3 million to double the RCMP emergency response team and a 28% boost to the urban policing grant. Other initiatives include a repeat offender action plan, an electronic monitoring rollout in rural areas, and a new Dauphin-based Centre for Justice.
“This builds on our commitment to ensure safety in every region,” Wiebe continues. “From bail reform to pilot projects like Swan Valley’s investigative unit, we’re addressing these challenges head-on.”