Winnipeg police has 90 active COVID-19 cases, declares state of emergency
Posted January 5, 2022 12:34 pm.
Last Updated January 5, 2022 7:38 pm.
The Winnipeg Police Service has declared a state of emergency due to a large number of COVID cases among officers and staff members.
The WPS says the force has 90 active cases of COVID-19, and 170 personnel members are on leave related to the novel coronavirus.
Chief Danny Smyth says “the COVID-19 situation has significantly impacted our staffing resources.”
He estimates 136 officers on a total 900 are currently out sick – roughly 15 per cent of the force.
Smyth says changes are coming to maintain an adequate level of officers on general patrol.
The Winnipeg police will put an additional 80 officers on general patrol beginning Jan. 10. Officers from other units – community support and the guns and gangs unit – will be reassigned. Smyth says the traffic division is on reserve for potential redeployment.
“By declaring a state of emergency, it gives me more flexibility in redeploying resources,” he said.
Smyth did not have information on the vaccination status of the personnel sidelined by the virus.
