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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.