Starting May 3, 2026, the Winnipeg Police Service will launch a new Rapid Response Unit (RRU) to support frontline policing and enhance community safety. The unit has been established to relieve pressure on frontline officers, improve response times, and strengthen service delivery for Winnipeg residents.
While the unit’s duties may vary from shift to shift, the RRU will be the primary response to special events such as parades, protests, rallies, and other large public gatherings. At other times, RRU will assist with calls for service during periods of elevated demand, conduct proactive enforcement, and support General Patrol and Community Support Units in addressing neighbourhood‑specific concerns. The unit will focus on crime suppression, community reassurance, and provide a rapid, flexible response to neighbourhood‑level safety issues.
The Rapid Response Unit will be staffed by two Sergeants, four Patrol Sergeants, and 26 Constables and will operate seven days a week. Assignments will be based on current calls for service, changing conditions across the city, urgent community concerns, and requests for assistance from other WPS units.
The unit will make its first public appearance this weekend at the annual WPS Half Marathon. Residents living within the race footprint, can expect minimal disruptions, as RRU members will be in the area directing traffic and overseeing site security.