Police services will receive equipment to help them do their job. The Manitoba government announced funds of $241,000 from the proceeds of crime will be distributed to the Brandon Police Service, Cornwallis Police Service and Rivers Police Service for safety and crime prevention initiatives. Justice Minister Cameron Friesen made the announcement on Aug. 20.
“Our government will be providing funding to the police services in Brandon, Cornwallis and Rivers for important initiatives that protect communities in the Westman region,” said Friesen. “One award of over $15,000 is being directed to the purchase of electronic equipment for the Online Child Exploitation Unit for the Brandon Police Service, where officers work to investigate cases of children being sexually exploited online. Another award will be used for emergent trauma kits that will allow officers to effectively intervene and provide emergency treatment on scene.”
The minister noted that BPS is receiving more than $215,000 through the Criminal Property Forfeiture program for safety and crime prevention programs including:
• $17,422 for equipment for immediate emergent trauma kits;
• $10,791 for equipment for trauma care kits;
• $15,483 for software and hardware for the Online Child Exploitation Unit;
• $4,483 for cameras for the Forensic Identification Unit;
• $82,500 for mobile work stations;
• $50,000 for in-car camera systems; and
• $24,500 for a digital fingerprinting system.
“Once again the Brandon Police Service was fortunate enough to receive funding from the Manitoba Justice Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund,” said Deputy Chief Randy Lewis, BPS. “These funds have allowed us to purchase much-needed medical equipment for our officers to carry on their person and in their vehicles, which will allow for timely first aid to be provided to fellow officers or members of the public. Upgrading of technology along with the addition of investigative equipment was also made possible by this funding. The best part about receiving this money to increase safety in our community is that it was originally seized from those who make a living and profit from criminal activity in our province. It is the daily hard work and dedication of our police officers in Manitoba that result in the seizures of criminal cash and assets. I would like to extend our gratitude to Minister Friesen and the Department of Justice for their continued support of the Brandon Police Service in our efforts to combat crime and increase safety in our community.”
The minister also noted that police agencies in Brandon, Cornwallis and Rivers are receiving over $10,000 in alcohol Approved Screening Devices and related equipment. The Cornwallis Police Service is receiving over $7,000 for a night vision monocular and Rivers Police Service is receiving over $7,000 for encrypted features for two radios and one in-car radio.
Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than $19 million back to the communities throughout the province. The criminal property forfeiture program seizes and liquidates criminal assets, and redirects funding to projects and initiatives designed to protect Manitobans and enhance public safety. The funds are provided to organizations across Manitoba whose important initiatives continue to build community, invest in youth and support victims of crime.
For more information about criminal property forfeiture, visit:
www.gov.mb.ca/justice/commsafe/cpf/index.html.
