Winnipeg police, RCMP launch most wanted website

The Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP have announced a new website for Manitoba’s Most Wanted.

The new website will show some offenders who are actively being looked for, with the goal of sharing information in a timely manner.

“We are telling these wanted individuals that their days of hiding are coming to an end,” said Shawn Pike, an RCMP Inspector.

Additionally, police are also hoping individuals may spot someone who is wanted and report their location to WPS, RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

“Offenders are aware of this, they have come to the detachments showing their pictures on their cell phones, so people are going to be looking, we hope that you look, and we really sincerely request you contact us or Crime Stoppers,” said Jennifer McKinnon, a Winnipeg Police Inspector.

On Tuesday, police stated that 480 serious or violent offenders have been arrested since the Manitoba Integrated Violent Offender Apprehension Unit (MIVOAU) launched in May 2023.

They say 84 per cent of arrests involved someone who was either on bail, probation, or parole. And that 27 per cent of violent offenders arrested by the unit were known to police as a gang member or associates.

“There’s an opportunity now as we are bringing on 12 new officers this fall, provincially funded officers which will be coming into the system, that’s there’s an opportunity for us to take those lessons learned from the overtime project and build them into a more sustainable and long-term project,” said Matt Wiebe, Minister of Justice.

Wiebe also highlighted that new legislation will be pushed forward to the Manitoba Legislature this fall on the banning of machetes.