Winnipeg police declare state of emergency due to COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 cases across the Winnipeg Police Service have prompted the city’s police chief to declare a state of emergency.

COVID-19 cases across the Winnipeg Police Service have prompted the city’s police chief to declare a state of emergency.

In a news release sent Wednesday afternoon, Police Chief Danny Smyth said the service has 90 active COVID-19 cases, and 170 personnel have booked time off on COVID-19-related leave.

“The current COVID-19 situation has significantly impacted our staffing resources. It has become necessary to execute parts of our Business Continuity Plan to ensure essential services—particularly in General Patrol,” said Chief Smyth in a statement.

Police said the service has designated 80 officers to be assigned to general patrol starting Jan. 10, and additional officers from other units will be redeployed to backfill on short notice.

Smyth said for Wednesday there are 900 officers who are scheduled on the roster and 136 are off sick.

The changes are to ensure general patrol units remain available.

Smyth said the units that would be redeployed first are the Community Support Unit and the Guns and Gangs Unit.