An ambulance drives past Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
Winnipeg police officers will have a 24/7 presence inside Manitoba’s largest hospital as part of a new safety partnership with the Health Sciences Centre.
The initiative will see two uniformed officers stationed in the emergency department at all times, supported by the installation of five new weapon-detection scanners at the hospital’s main entrances.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says the move is aimed at protecting both patients and frontline health-care staff.
“By funding dedicated police officers within the Health Sciences Centre emergency department, we are taking a proactive step to create a more secure and supportive environment for those seeking care and those providing it,” said Asagwara.
“This initiative is designed with the unique community needs of HSC in mind, and will ensure that people in crisis are treated with dignity and care.”
The deployment is part of broader upgrades at HSC, including reduced public access points, strengthened security protocols, and infrastructure improvements to the hospital campus.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Winnipeg police Chief Gene Bowers said, “The Winnipeg Police Service is committed to the safety of our community, and are a participant in discussions as it relates to safety at the Health Sciences Centre. We hope to finalize with the Government of Manitoba how police can contribute to a layered safety plan; however, details are still being worked out.
“We are committed to be part of a safety solution at HSC. We will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to ensure the safety of patients, families, staff and those tasked with providing security at the hospital.”
The move comes as nurses made the rare decision last month to declare the hospital too dangerous to work in, otherwise known as “grey listing.”
The Manitoba Nurses Union previously said it made several requests to the hospital to improve security measures but the safety of nurses there is consistently compromised.
— With files from The Canadian Press
