WINNIPEG, MB: The Winnipeg Police Association (WPA) has released two new public service announcements (PSAs) for television and online placement to enhance awareness of the important role police officers play while ensuring safety and security for Winnipeg residents.

Critical to public safety is the need for prompt service call answers and dispatches when 911 is dialed. The first of the two PSAs focuses on an all too real occurrence when the 911 communications centre is not fully staffed.

Since 2014, the last year in which a municipal election was held, calls to the communications centre (including 911, non-emergency, and interactive voice response) have increased by 10%. This increase in call volume has been driven heavily due to the 48% increase in emergency dispatched events from 2014 to 2017.

"With the significant increase in service calls, 911 operators and Winnipeg police officers are stressed to the max to deliver the service and safety citizens expect," said Maurice Sabourin, President of the WPA. "The Winnipeg 911 communications centre must be fully staffed at all times in order for priority service calls to be answered and responded to quickly. People’s lives are at stake and every second counts."

The second of the two 30 second PSAs focuses on the diversity and shared values of the Winnipeg Police Service.

"The WPS is an organization that believes in reflecting the community it serves," said Sabourin. "Winnipeg is one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the country, and that’s why we’re constantly striving to recruit women and men from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures to our police force."

The PSAs begin airing on local television September 10, 2018, part of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety is a priority for all candidates running in the October 24th municipal election. A part of the ‘Protecting What Matters’ series, the PSAs can be viewed by visiting: www.winnipegpoliceassociation.ca or the ‘For A Safer Winnipeg’ Facebook page.

"Ask your local city counsellor candidates and the mayoral candidates to put the citizens of Winnipeg first and vote for a safer Winnipeg," added Sabourin.

Contact:
Maurice Sabourin
President, Winnipeg Police Association

T: 204-957-1579 
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.