Winnipeg police use of force reports, calls for service rose in 2024

A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder patch is seen at the Public Information Office in Winnipeg, Sept. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Winnipeg police officers reported more incidents involving use of force last year, along with an increase in calls for service compared to the five-year average.

The new data is outlined in a report by Winnipeg Police Chief Gene Bowers to the city’s police board.

According to the service, there were 968 use of force reports in 2024, which is up about 12 per cent from 2023.

It is also a 22 per cent jump from the five-year average.

“The number of use of force reports is dictated by interactions in the field. As such, these numbers are determined by the behaviour of subjects and their willingness to comply with members,” the report said.

All cases involving use of force, except in training, require a report, which is then independently reviewed and assessed.

The rise came amid a similar increase in calls for service. There were 239,903 in 2024 – about 2,000 more than the five-year average, but over 7,000 fewer than 2023.

Meanwhile, incidents involving defensive resistance, active aggression, and aggravated active aggression were all up over last year’s data, while defensive resistance was down.

This data comes after a WPS statistical report released last month showed assaults against police officers were up from 388 in 2023 to 421 in 2024 – an 8.5 per cent increase from 2023 and a 20 per cent leap over the five-year average.

WPS expects to be $4 million over budget

Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Police Service is forecast to end the year over $4 million in the red.

According to the service’s year-end forecast, the overexpenditure is driven in part by overtime from the Winnipeg Jets Whiteout Street Parties.

The report also said inflation is pressuring operating expenses, impacting the service’s ability to meet its target.

The full report can be read on the city’s website.