New Winnipeg police robot, officer training for protests among programs receiving provincial dollars
The Winnipeg police are set to receive more than $611,000 through criminal forfeiture program—with a large chunk of the money going toward a new police robot that looks like a dog.
Manitoba Justice Minister Cameron Friesen, along with Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth, announced the new funding on Wednesday.
The money is coming from Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which takes criminal assets, liquidates them, and redirects the funds into projects and initiatives that protect Manitobans and enhance public safety.
A large chunk of this money—more than $257,000—will be going toward what the province described as 'a public-safety robot platform.'
"This robot will be used to reduce and ideally eliminate human jeopardy in high-risk, dangerous and complicated environments," Friesen said.
Smyth said police services have been using robots since the 1970s, but these robots were limited in mobility.
He said the police service will use the provincial funding for a new robot.
"What is unique about this—it kind of looks like a dog for starters, and it has mobility so that it can advance on an uneven terrain, it can go up stairs, it can carry things on a harness, it has photography," Smyth said.
"It really is just the next generation—an upgrade if you will, that provides our people with a great deal more mobility and being able to go into spaces that would be dangerous to either a live canine or to one of our officers."
Friesen said about $36,000 will be used for a certified training program developed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on police response to mass demonstrations and assemblies.
Smyth said police officers are being trained to liaison with groups that are planning protests.
"It would be a lot of communication work, a lot of liaison—how to identify and meet with organizers and really just set the tone so everyone can do their thing peacefully," Smyth said.
The other programs receiving funding include:
- $80,250 for the 911 public education campaign;
- $31,823 for a cloud-based digital evidence management system;
- $5,496 for training financial crime investigators;
- $69,132 for equipment for first responders;
- $11,688 electronic equipment for the Internet Child Exploitation Unit;
- $11,207 for equipment for the Technical Surveillance Unit;
- $55,000 for Canadian Police College training;
- $13,607 for equipment for the Virtual Police Response Unit;
- $5,845 for video equipment; and
- $33,595 for the SNAP KIDTHINK program to assist youth in the community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.