(l-r) at podium, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Steve Ashton and Minister of Justice Andrew Swan are joined by representatives of Police, Fire and Paramedic first responders at announcement of proposed new rules to improve safety for Manitoba emergency crews and roadside workers.December 4, 2012

PROVINCE PROPOSES NEW RULES TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR MANITOBA EMERGENCY CREWS, OTHER ROADSIDE WORKERS

– – –
Motorists Would Have to Travel at Lower Speed When Passing Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, Tow Trucks When Beacons Flashing: Ashton

New rules would better protect emergency and other roadside workers by setting lower speed limits for motorists as they pass emergency or other designated vehicles stopped or working on a highway, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced today.
“Emergency workers must be able to do their jobs without fear of being hit by a speeding vehicle,” Ashton said.  “It is tragic when police, paramedics, firefighters or other emergency workers are hurt or killed while helping injured people at an accident scene or when assisting stranded motorists on the roadside.”
Under this plan, there would be areduced speed limit of 40 km/h on highways where there is a normal speed limit of less than 79 km/h, when passing emergency or designated vehicles (tow trucks and vehicles used by government enforcement officers) stopped or working on the highway, with their beacons flashing, Ashton said.  Where the normal speed limit is 80 km/h or more, the reduced speed limit would be 60 km/h.
Current rules require motorists to proceed with caution when approaching emergency vehicles on their side of a highway.  The new rules would also require drivers to slow down and proceed with caution when approaching an emergency or designated vehicle working on either side of the highway, unless it is a divided highway, the minister said.
In situations where traffic is flowing in two directions on an undivided highway, the new rules would clearly improve safety as vehicles are required to slow down, regardless of their direction of travel, Ashton said.  This is similar to the requirement for motorists to stop for a school bus that has a warning device operating, regardless of direction of travel on an undivided highway.
In addition, the new rules would authorize firefighters to control traffic during emergencies and at collision scenes when the police are not at the scene, or under the direction of a police officer.

- 30 -

Justice Minister Hands out Award of Excellence to Law Enforcers

ovember 16, 2011

EXCELLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD WINNERS TO BE HONOURED AT MEETING OF CHIEFS OF POLICE

Police officers who have made an outstanding contribution to the community and public safety will be recognized by Justice Minister Andrew Swan with the presentation of the 2010 Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards this evening at a meeting of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police.
“Every day, police officers are out there protecting us and our communities,” said Swan.  “It is a privilege to pay special tribute to those whose efforts go beyond their already vital role in making our neighbourhoods safer and better places to live.”
Nominees considered for the award have made significant contributions to police service, law enforcement or the community.  The recipients are:
     Patrol Sgt. Sandra Martin, Winnipeg Police Service
Martin began her career with the Winnipeg Police Service in 1994 and her diverse assignments have included working in uniform and as a spokesperson, and being the vulnerable persons co‑ordinator, a traffic accident reconstructionist and a commercial crime investigator.  She is a regional director of the International Association of Women Police, an organization dedicated to improving the role of policing for women across the world.  As an officer and a mentor to others, she has made significant contributions to policing in Winnipeg.
     Sgt. Patrick Olson, RCMP
A 23-year member of the RCMP, Olson is currently the operations head of the Integrated Gang Intelligence Unit.  He is an original member of the unit and through his leadership and guidance it has become one of the most effective and responsive street gang intelligence units in the country.  Work completed under his supervision includes some of the largest and most-successful operations focused on anti-gang and drug activity.  His efforts in developing the unit have had an impact throughout the province, playing a pivotal role in combating the spread and influence of street gangs in Manitoba.
     Chief Const. Glen Robinson, Altona Police Service
Robinson’s policing career began in Brandon in 1976.  In 1991, he became the chief of the Altona Police Service.  Under his leadership, the Altona Police Service has met high standards in its training, equipment and employment practices.  He is deeply committed to the community, serving two terms as a school board trustee and helping to organize an annual bike rodeo for the Special Olympics.  Recently retired from policing, his commitment continues as he now serves as a councillor for the Town of Altona.
     Const. Kirby Sararas, Brandon Police Service
A member of the Brandon Police Service for 10 years, Sararas exemplifies excellence in policing through commitment to her duties and dedication to the community.  She is a criminal investigator and has served on numerous community committees including the child-abuse committee.  For the past five years, she has volunteered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and was instrumental in creating the Halloween Haunted House, which is a major fundraising event for the organization.
     Patrol Sgt. Edith Turner, Winnipeg Police Service
Turner is a dedicated 17-year member of the Winnipeg Police Service who has successfully taken on some of the most demanding assignments the job can offer.  She has worked as a constable and investigator in the Divisional Crime and Community Support units, and has served in the Organized Crime, Drug and Gang units of the Criminal Investigations Bureau where she specialized in undercover operations.  She developed an undercover technique now taught to police officers across Canada.  She grew up in the Misipawistik Cree Nation and, as a child of a residential school survivor, is keenly aware of the value of positive role models for Aboriginal youth.  Her outstanding commitment to numerous initiatives has worked to strengthen the relationship between the Aboriginal community and the police.   
Award recipients were selected by a committee consisting of representatives from Manitoba Justice, the Brandon Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service and Royal Canadian Mounted Police and were approved by the justice minister.

- 30 -

November 25, 2008

POLICE IN SCHOOLS NET POSITIVE RESULTS FOR STUDENTS: MINISTERS– – –
Initiative Produces Increased Graduation Rates, Better Attendance, Improved Motivation


Results of the police in schools initiative show increased graduation rates, improved student motivation and reduced suspension rates, Attorney General Dave Chomiak and Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson said today in announcing a three-year extension of the program.

“We know the police in schools initiative helps to keep students safe, but we are also encouraged to learn the initiative is also improving academic results for students,” Chomiak said. “The initiative has resulted in school suspensions being down 40 per cent and incidents of graffiti dramatically reduced along with loitering, vandalism, bullying and violent acts.”

“Strengthening the relationships between youth, police officers and the communities they serve has proven to be an effective tool that ultimately keeps students safe, motivated and in school,” Bjornson said. “The school resource officers are helping us meet our goal of increasing graduation rates for inner-city and Aboriginal students by supporting their efforts to finish high school and go on to post‑secondary education and training.”

Operated in partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg School Division over the past six years, school resource officers (SROs) have worked with students in 15 north end schools to teach crime prevention, safety education and conflict resolution. Officers are based at three high schools and also work with elementary and junior high schools in the communities. Goals over the next three years include enhancing neighbourhood safety, strengthening existing partnerships and adding strategic crime prevention resources.

In addition to providing advice, counselling and mediation services, the officers have held community justice forums, started cadet programs at elementary schools and founded a hockey team at St. John’s High School.

“I was pleased to be involved with this program when it began in 2003 and am very glad to see it continue,” said Keith McCaskill, chief of the Winnipeg Police Service. “The school resource officers have been very effective in building relationships and trust with students, staff, and families in the north end.”

“The Winnipeg School Division has benefited greatly from having school resource officers in our schools. The officers act as positive role models and mentors for our school communities. The board of trustees has heard from students – how they feel safer with SROs in our buildings,” said John Orlikow, chair of the board of trustees of the Winnipeg School Division.

The Manitoba government has undertaken numerous initiatives to encourage revitalization in designated urban communities by helping local residents and community stakeholders identify and address local priorities. The police in schools initiative was expanded to downtown and south-central Winnipeg schools last year.

- 30 -

November 27, 2008

NEW RULES FOR REPORTING GUNSHOT AND STAB WOUNDS TO TAKE EFFECT DEC. 1– – –
Legislation Resolves Uncertainty for Health-care Professionals: Chomiak


New legislation that makes it mandatory for health-care facilities to report all gunshot wounds and certain stab wounds to police will take effect Dec. 1, Attorney General Dave Chomiak announced today.

“This act helps health-care professionals balance the need for public safety and the need to maintain patient confidentiality,” Chomiak said. “It clarifies who should report, who they should call, what they need to share and when they need to do it.”

The Gunshot and Stab Wounds Mandatory Reporting Act requires health-care facilities to notify police when they treat a patient with a gunshot wound or who appears to have been stabbed by someone else.

Health-care professionals would treat the patients’ wounds first. The facility would report the wounds as soon as possible without interfering with treatment. The act does not apply to intentional or accidental self-inflicted stab wounds.

“Informing police about gunshot and stab wounds quickly can prevent further violence, injuries and deaths,” Chomiak said. “This addresses public safety concerns by letting police make the best use of those critical first few hours in an investigation.”

Manitoba’s existing Personal Health Information Act allows some information to be disclosed to prevent or lessen a serious and immediate threat to the health or safety of an individual or the public. The new legislation adds clarity for health-care professionals.

Information provided to the police under the new legislation will be limited to the fact that an individual with a wound is being treated, their name if it is known and the name and location of the treatment facility. No other medical information would be shared.

- 30 -

Congratulations Sgt. Monica Brothers

Monica Brothers is a stellar role model for women and especially black women and girls because of her continued success and leadership in the community. She is a woman who was not expected to become a Police Officer because she was so skinny but she set her goal worked towards it and achieved it. This is the importance of believing in oneself. Monica Stothers believed she could accomplish whatever she wanted and she has.

She has performed her role as a Police Officer in a manner in which all Blacks and Caribbean people could be proud. She has lifted the race up to another level with her accomplishment.


She has created history by becoming the first Black Female to rise to the rank of Sgt. A 20 year old veteran of the Force she is now a Patrol Sgt Monica Brothers.