Officers from a variety of police services, including some in WestMan, were part of a handful of arrests earlier this week that brought the Manitoba Integrated Violent Offender Apprehension Unit (MIVOAU) to a new milestone of 850 arrests.
According to a release, the unit (which is comprised of officers from the Manitoba RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service) travelled to three communities in the WestMan area to “locate and arrest prolific and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.” They received help from RCMP officers from the Winnipegosis and Yellowhead detachments, the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Unit (drone), and Manitoba First Nation Police Service officers from Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation.
Police said their officers searched over 35 locations looking for suspects, and executed six entry warrants. In their release, police said they arrested six violent offenders with warrants on Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation and Skownan First Nation. They made three arrests in each community. The MIVOAU, formed in May of 2023, had now arrested 850 suspects since its inception.
“The Manitoba Integrated Violent Offender Apprehension Unit is directly contributing to safer streets, not only in Winnipeg, but in communities throughout Manitoba,” said Sergeant James Ries, of the Manitoba Integrated Violent Offender Apprehension Unit. “Violent and prolific offenders with outstanding warrants are continually trying to evade police by moving from community to community. However, with this joint unit readily sharing intelligence and resources; there’s no doubt it’s becoming harder for them to hide.”
