Westman Detachment

Contact Information:
Box 130
Virden, MB
R0M 2C0
Ph: (204) 748-2046
Fax: (204) 748-2899

Location:
The detachment covers an area of approximately 6,500 square kilometres. It is bordered to the west by the Saskatchewan border and to the south by North Dakota. It includes two border crossings, at Lyleton and Coulter.

Local Population:
Approximately 11,500 people.

RCMP Detachment:
The detachment consists of 14 regular members and four support staff located as follows: one staff sergeant, one corporal, seven constables, one Public Service Employee, and one municipal employee in Virden; two constables, and one Public Service Employee in Reston; one corporal, two constables and one Public Service Employee in Melita. The detachment maintains a fleet of six cars and two four-wheel drive SUVs.

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:

Melita School Threat Assessment Team: A program was developed in response to a problem of bullying in the schools. This committee has one member of the RCMP as a liaison who also takes part in discussions and works towards a common goal of solving problems.

Multi-Agency Preventative (MAP) Committee: The MAP is in place in Virden, Reston and Melita. With representatives from the detachment, the committee tries to establish the proper intervention techniques for high-risk youth. Members of this committee include Child and Family Services, Probation Services, Youth for Christ, Alcohol Foundation of Manitoba, Victim Services, and a Mental Health Worker.

Media Liaison: Our detachment area has an excellent working relationship with the local media. This includes the Virden Empire Advance, Oak Lake Community Letter, CKX Radio, News In A Minute, Melita New Era and the Reston Recorder. Positive interaction between media and the detachments has allowed us to send out alerts to the public involving issues of concern.

RESTORATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE JUSTICE:

Nation-wide, members of the RCMP are involved in the daily operations of alternative justice forums, 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.

Restorative Justice and Alternative Measures Program: The Virden, Melita, and Reston detachments have an effective community justice program. There are approximately 12 representatives from the community that volunteer their time on the committee, nine of whom are trained to facilitate restorative justice forums. Offenders take part in the process and the disposition is monitored by the committee. The committee also takes referrals from neighbouring communities that do not have a justice committee in place.

Alternative Justice: The detachment area provides a number of alternatives to the formal court process. In some cases, it may involve allowing parents or school facility to deal with the matter instead of a formal court proceeding. Other alternatives may include education, cautioning, or having the violator dealt with by those affected by the nature of the incident. Investigators are encouraged and directed to consider a wide range of offences for alternative measures based on the client's needs and public interest.

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:

Safe Grad Program: Each year for the Virden Collegiate High School, Virden RCMP liaises with school officials for the Safe Grad program. This includes information sessions, designated driver information and increased police patrols.

Block Parents: There are a number of residents who are members of the Block Parent program. It is widely recognized and promotes a safer community. There are currently about 20 families participating in this program.

Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE): The detachment currently has a member trained as a DARE officer. This program is delivered to Grade 6 students. The RCMP member attends the school weekly and lectures for half of the day. The purpose of the program is to provide the student with skills to resist the temptation of drugs and violence.

Other Crime Prevention Programs include:

• Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP)
• Combat Auto Theft

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:

• Bike Safety/Bike Patrol Program
• Red Serge Duty
• Detachment Tours
• Babysitters Course
• Preschool Wellness Fair
• Golf Tournament
• Virden Collegiate
• School Patrol Safety

QUALITY SERVICE THROUGH STRATEGIC PARNTERSHIPS:

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 as with other community groups. Several unique associations have been formed:

• Emergency Preparedness Committee
• Town of Virden Council
• Virden Child & Family Services
• Town of Melita Council
• RM of Pipestone