Winnipeg police cars are getting their share of dents and dings every year.
Data CTV News obtained through freedom of information requests show city police cruisers were smashed up at a higher rate when compared to police vehicles in other Canadian cities.
In 2014, the Winnipeg Police Service had 391 vehicles on the road. Statistics show 251 police units were involved in a major or minor collision that year; a rate of 64.2 per cent, when comparing the number of crashes to cars.
When ranked against other major Canadian cities, Winnipeg's rate is the highest:
- Winnipeg 64.2%
- Vancouver 62.1%
- Toronto 33.5%
- Calgary 32%
- Edmonton 25.8%
- Montreal 23.7%
Winnipeg police said the stats, however, don't tell the whole story. It said the city's numbers also include damage not caused from crashes or accidents.
Sgt. Nick Paulet said all types of damage are included in the City of Winnipeg stats, from stone chips to vandalism, which other cities may not include in their reporting.
"When you start to think about some of those other things that may show up as a collision, it may skew how people view those numbers," said Paulet.
Paulet said dozens of Winnipeg police cruisers are sitting targets. He pointed out many are now parked outside because of the Civic Parkade closure downtown.
"Anyone who kicks in a tail light or takes a marker and writes on a quarter panel of the car, and we've seen a lot of that kind of damage, will come up as a collision,” said Paulet.
Paulet estimates, of the 251 incidents, 180 are crashes or minor accidents and the rest are due to vandalism and mischief. With that estimation factored in, Winnipeg would still place second on the list at a rate of 46 per cent.
Police said members go through extensive driver training and are re-certified every two years.
Winnipeg Police Board member Ross Eadie said he has faith police officers in Winnipeg are safe drivers. The city councillor still wants a breakdown of how cruisers are being damaged; however, Eadie has his own theory on the cause.
"I think a lot of it has to do with the condition of our roads in this city; it's bad,” said Eadie, adding he also blames potholes for further damage to vehicles.
CTV News gathered the statistics through freedom of information requests to each individual police force.
