East Interlake Detachment

Contact Information:
Box 1500
Gimli, MB
R0C 1B0
Ph: (204) 642-5106
Fax: (204) 642-9047

Location:
The majority of this detachment borders the west side of Lake Winnipeg and is situated on the east side of Manitoba’s Interlake region. Three major highways travel through the area. The East Interlake detachment is approximately a one-hour drive from Winnipeg.

RCMP Detachment:
The East Interlake detachment is a consolidated unit, with Gimli acting as the host and administrative centre. We also have community offices in Teulon and Arborg. The detachment has a staff of 19 police officers, four auxiliary constables, and five support staff, with the detachment commander and operations officer (Non-Commissioned Officer) stationed at Gimli.

COMMUNITY-BASED PROBLEM SOLVING:
Often, there are groups already in place to deal with ongoing concerns or community projects. The following details what community challenges are being addressed by the members of the RCMP in partnership with their community. The major working groups include:

Community Policing Report: The detachment conducted a survey involving retirees, labourers, students, and fishermen in the Gimli detachment area. This survey was used to identify the most serious crime problems, as seen by these citizens. These groups rated their priorities in the areas of crime prevention, crime solving, interaction with the community, and communications with the community. This survey showed that people feel the main crime problem is teenage drug abuse, vandalism and idle youth in the community. Recommendations were made to look at more drug awareness programs for students and parents. Another recommendation made was to have students work in cooperation with police by giving them a better understanding of the Crime Stoppers program so that they need not fear the lack of confidentiality in reporting suspects.

Matheson Island and Pine Dock: The Mayor and Councils meet on a very casual basis and have no specific concerns about crime trends in their isolated communities. A good rapport exists between both Pine Dock and Matheson Island with regular scheduled patrols being conducted to keep an open line of communication ongoing.

Interlake Women’s Issues Committee: This committee consists of representatives from Women’s Advocacy, Interlake Women’s Resource Centre, Manitoba Housing, Child and Family Services and the RCMP. The purpose of the committee is to discuss specific issues and concerns that exist for women in rural areas.

Child Abuse Committees: Two members sit on separate committees because social agencies for this area are based in Stonewall and Gimli. Both committees are also comprised of doctors, Social Services workers, Family Services workers, and school counsellors, which meet on a regular basis to deal with cases of child abuse and neglect. The purpose of the committees is to share information and discuss possible problems and solutions. Intervention and family assistance are generally the agreed upon methods.

Bullying - Teulon Collegiate High School: The detachment originally became involved in this as a result of multiple assault/bullying complaints. The investigating member set up and participated in a community justice forum used by police to resolve the assault issues in this case. This involved all victims, accused, parents, and Teulon Collegiate High School. This Community Justice Forum was successful in coming to a complete resolution in this investigation.

Interlake Snow Trackers: This detachment has two members who serve as the liaison officers on the executive of this committee. Along with routinely addressing the club on areas of concern and safety, this member has also addressed an ongoing problem of Off Road Vehicle Act enforcement, SNOPASS enforcement, and vandalism to their property. This member is also the local media relations liaison and has used the local papers to promote the safe operation of snowmobiles and adherence to the ORVA.

Gimli Early/Middle Years School Transition Committee: The committee consists of the Evergreen School Board, town councillors, parent advisory members, and police.

RESTORATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE JUSTICE:
Nationwide, members of the RCMP are involved in alternative justice processes, whether it is volunteering as facilitators or sitting on steering committees. Each community may embrace a different form of restorative justice, be it community justice forums, circle sentencing or mediation.

Community Justice Forums: There are currently five active facilitators at this time. Referrals to Community Justice Forums are routinely done by the investigating member of an incident. If the member feels a Community Justice Forum would be appropriate to deal with the individuals involved and all parties agree, then a facilitator is contacted and a Community Justice Forum is performed.

Alternative Justice: East Interlake detachment is involved in providing a number of alternatives to the formal court process. In some cases it may involve allowing parents or school facilities to deal with the matter instead of a formal court proceeding. Other alternatives would include education, cautioning, or having the violator dealt with by those affected by the nature of the incident.

CRIME PREVENTION:
Members of the RCMP are involved with a number of programs designed to prevent crime in our communities through both indirect and direct intervention. From school talks to youth initiatives to community safety plans, the goal of crime prevention programs is to target the roots of potential criminal and social problems. Members of the RCMP are involved in the following initiatives:

Youth Gang Awareness: One member of East Interlake Detachment has initiated talks on youth gang awareness at the same time he presents drug talks. These presentations are not only geared for students but also give parents insight into what to watch for in their children in regards to gang involvement.

Lake Winnipeg Fishermen’s Association: There are more than 200 licenced fishermen that fish Lake Winnipeg. Unfortunately, due to the lack of use of safety equipment many lives have been lost. In order to make this a safer industry, local fishermen have been contacted and provided with guides regarding their requirement under law for safety equipment and personal protection devices. All fishermen have been given notice that the RCMP will be conducting spot checks to ensure they are in compliance with regulations.

Silver Harbour/Glen Bay Cottage Owners Association & Operation Identification: These two associations expressed concerns because of an above normal break and enter rate in their areas. This detachment enlisted the aid of our summer student to attend the meetings and inform members of the services available to them. Operation Identification was implemented and provides cottage owners the opportunity to mark their valuables and place visible Operation Identification stickers in their windows.

Interlake Snow Trackers: This club is responsible for hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails in our detachment area. Two members of this detachment serve on the executive of this club and have addressed them on issues such as ORVA enforcement, Snopass enforcement, and safety issues. This has improved cooperation between police and the club and they support and assist police where possible in enforcement.

Citizens on Patrol (COP): The detachment has established a COP program in Gimli, Winnipeg Beach and Teulon. These programs have a member liaison officer who shares information with the group, provides training for new members, assists in recruiting new members and addresses any concerns that may arise. There are 30 members in the Gimli group, 16 members in Winnipeg Beach and seven members in Teulon.

Other Crime Prevention Programs include:

• School Liaison
• Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
• Seniors
• Drug Prevention & Enforcement
• Safe Grad Committee
• Bicycle Patrols
• Auxiliary Constable Program
• Liquor Control Act Enforcement
• Teulon-Speeding/Highway Traffic Act (HTA) Problems
• Icelandic & Gimli Festivals
• Gimli Early/Middle Years School
• Evergreen School Band Program
• Evergreen Band Boosters Organization
• Evergreen School Division
• Arborg High School
• Media Relations
• Village of Riverton
• Gimli Summer Festival
• Manitoba Car Seat Coalition

POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS:
Without a solid base upon which to work, the police cannot hope to build the necessary partnerships with the community to prevent crime and to solve community problems. Members of the RCMP strive daily to build those bridges by appreciating the needs of the communities in which they work and live. Their commitment to the community goes beyond simple participation as residents, but also as active members of the community. Members of the RCMP are involved in the following initiatives:

• Red Serge Duty
• Job Shadowing
• Detachment Open House
• Terry Fox Golf Tournament
• RCMP Golf Tournament
• Coats for Kids
• Businessmen's Hockey League
• Islendadingadangurin
• Arborg Summerfest
• Inwood Women's Golf League
• Christmas Cheer Board & Hampers
• Volunteer Support Staff Program
• RCMP Reunion and Millenium Ball
• East Interlake Detachment Fun Challenge
• Gimli Park Community Project
• Partnership in Physical Fitness

QUALITY SERVICE THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS:
The community also benefits directly and indirectly from strategic partnerships that the RCMP forms with other law enforcement and governmental agencies as well as with other community groups. Several unique associations have been formed:

• Manitoba Natural Resources
• Canadian Coast Guard
• Manitoba Liquor Control Commission
• Gimli, Arborg and Teulon Health Committees
• Gimli and Stonewall Child & Family Services
• Park and Beach Patrols
• Gimli, Teulon and Arborg Chamber of Commerce
• Manitoba Justice
• Teulon Youth Business Initiative
• Hecla Island Provincial Park
• Town of Gimli, Mayor and Council
• Rural Municipality of Gimli, Bifrost, Armstrong and Rockwood, Town of Arborg and Winnipeg Beach, and the Village of Riverton.