Manitoba Government Cracks Down on Drug Trafficking and Violent Crime in the Swan Valley Region

November 21, 2024

SWAN RIVER—The Manitoba government is helping fight crime in the Swan Valley region by providing nearly $265,000 in funding to the Swan Valley General Investigation Section (GIS) pilot program as part of the Public Safety Strategy, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today.

“Our government is funding a new RCMP investigative unit to crack down on drug trafficking and other serious crime in Swan Valley, getting more boots on the ground by hiring three new officers,” said Wiebe. “Today’s announcement will increase safety by providing funding for resources that help combat crime, building stronger and safer communities. I want to thank our partners in the Swan Valley and the RCMP who have worked with us to make this new investigative unit possible.”

The Town of Swan River, the municipalities of Swan Valley West and Minitonas-Bowsman, and the Rural Municipality of Mountain have signed a new five-year agreement to establish a GIS in Swan River to support local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) efforts in addressing crime.

“This investment from the Province of Manitoba is essential to the crime-fighting efforts already taking place within the Swan River Valley,” said Lance Jacobson, Mayor of Swan River. “Our valley municipalities have commitment agreements to share our portion of the cost, as well as an investment from the federal government. This GIS unit pilot project is an example of all three major levels of government thinking outside the box, working collaboratively on a common goal. This is a proud day for myself, as mayor of the Town of Swan River, as well for our partners – the Municipality of Swan Valley West, Rural Municipality of Mountain and the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman.”

The GIS program is a serious crimes investigative support unit that will assist with complex and multi-jurisdictional investigations and works in partnership with detachment members and in collaboration with local investigative teams to identify crime trends. The GIS program will alleviate some of the strain experienced by the RCMP detachment and proactively address public safety concerns in the community, noted the minister.

“I have no doubt that the establishment of a General Investigative Section in Swan River-Swan Valley will be of tremendous help to the front-line detachment officers and will make an important impact in reducing violent and property crime throughout the area,” said Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, commanding officer of the Manitoba RCMP.

Last week, the Manitoba government released the Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy that included a commitment to respond to complex and serious crimes in Swan River and Swan Valley by establishing a general investigative unit pilot project with the RCMP in the region. The province will continue to work with stakeholders, regional and rural municipalities to create a safer Manitoba, the minister noted.

The Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy can be viewed at: https://gov.mb.ca/justice/pubs/publicsafety_strategy.pdf.

– 30 –

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

NT5