The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters is pictured in Winnipeg, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert)
The Winnipeg Police Service is setting up a new rapid response unit to take pressure off frontline officers and improve response times across the city.
Launching on May 3, RRU will be staffed by two sergeants, four patrol sergeants, and 26 constables, operating seven days a week. Assignments will be driven by real-time calls for service, shifting conditions across the city, and requests for assistance from other WPS units.
The unit’s primary role will be responding to special events, such as parades, protests, rallies, and large public gatherings, while also supporting general patrol and community units during high-demand periods.
In a statement on Thursday, police also said the RRU will conduct proactive enforcement and address neighbourhood-specific safety concerns as they arise.
The unit makes its public debut this weekend at the annual WPS Half Marathon, where members will direct traffic and oversee site security.
Watch Thursday’s news conference:
