3 days ago
Police board chair points to growing meth problem for jump in WPS officers' stun-gun use
Winnipeg Police Service officers used stun guns more often last year, a trend some have linked to increased meth use in the community.
However, one of several annual policing updates finds overall use of force remained rare.
In 2024, WPS members used Tasers 524 times, including 221 instances in which the devices were presented and/or used to coerce someone, 216 times stun-gun probes were deployed (for use over a longer distance) and 87 times when the weapons were used to 'push stun' (applied while pressing the device against someone.)
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board, Coun. Markus Chambers.
The combined use is up from a five-year average of 262 times per year since 2019, and exceeds 302 total uses in 2023.
Frequent meth use among people police interact with is believed to be a key factor in the increase, according to the chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board.
'With how bad meth is out there right now, the unpredictability of the psychosis with meth usage would signal (why) officers are using their Tasers… more than the five-year average,' said Coun. Markus Chambers.
The WPS report also blames meth use for an increase in 'activated active aggression' against police, which it describes as incidents that risk causing death or 'grievous bodily harm' to police, suspects and bystanders.
'The increase has largely been attributed to encounters with individuals exhibiting the effects of methamphetamine. Individuals under the influence of methamphetamine often have a high tolerance to pain and are far less responsive to de-escalation techniques, including verbal and physical (ones),' the report says.
For example, Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) said the number of times police vehicles have been deliberately rammed into rose to 12 in 2024, up from four the previous year.
'The aggression… officers are being met with is a lot higher,' he said.
Use of force report
Chambers said stun guns can help keep officers and the public safe and prevent the use of more dangerous responses.
The WPS report describes the electroshock weapon as a useful, and relatively safe, tool.
'The (conducted energy weapon) remains the most used intermediate weapon and most effective level of control, with the least likelihood of causing injury, compared to physical control techniques,' it notes.
Overall, police were dispatched to 239,903 events last year and either presented a weapon or used force in 968 of those incidents, the report notes. That means 0.4 per cent of calls involved use of force last year, compared to a five-year average of 0.33 per cent.
There were several serious incidents. Police reported six officer-involved shootings and four fatalities last year, which is above the five-year average of four shootings and two fatalities.
'One incident of a police-involved shooting is too much but we recognize each situation is a different situation,' said Chambers.
JEFF DE BOOY / FREE PRESS FILES
In 2024, Winnipeg Police Service officers used Tasers 524 times.
Meanwhile, a separate annual report notes WPS received 93 complaints to its professional standards unit in 2024, up from a five-year average of 77.2. That number includes both external and internal complaints. It may have risen, in part, because officers are often responding to large, 'public order' events, such as protests, where participants are expressing very strong beliefs and may be angered by police involvement, said Chambers.
'Public order events are usually very emotional, highly charged. I suspect some of the increased amount (of complaints) could be from there,' he said.
A third annual report notes police are engaging in pursuits with fleeing vehicles less often due to safety risks. There were 64 pursuits last year, down from 66 in 2023 and 122 in 2020, it notes.
'Pursuits are considered a last resort due to safety risks for the public, officers, and suspects. A pursuit may be justified if the suspect's escape poses a threat to human life or can cause serious injury,' the report states.
Chambers said the Winnipeg Police Service helicopter also helps avoid the need for police cruisers to chase fleeing suspects. The report credits the helicopter with helping out in 11 of the 64 pursuits last year and providing 'visual containment' in 10 of those 11 cases.
And the force's armoured rescue vehicle was used 87 times for tactical operations last year, responding to firearm-related search warrants, homicide investigations and abductions, among other incidents.
Wednesdays
Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture.
In recent years, some advocates have criticized spending money on the helicopter and armoured vehicles, especially those pushing for council to divert at least some of the police budget to recreation and other priorities.
Chambers stressed he believes both vehicles remain valuable policing tools.
Winnipeg Police Service declined to speak about the reports until they are presented at Friday's police board meeting.
X: @joyanne_pursaga
Joyanne PursagaReporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
