Flooding at police headquarters: C26-36013

Released: February 18, 2026 at 2:27 p.m.

Information contained in our media releases may relate to issues of violence or trauma, which could be distressing for some individuals. Be mindful of your well-being and consider whether or not engaging with this content is appropriate for you.

Update:

City of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Police Service personnel continue to assess the damage to Winnipeg Police (WPS) Headquarters as a result of flooding that occurred in the tower at 266 Graham Avenue. Assessment of the facility determined that flood damage occurred from the fourth floor of the tower down to the basement and affected the main floor and basement levels of HQ.

Damage remediation work began immediately on all affected areas to ensure a safe work environment.

Electrical systems have been identified as safe and lighting restored to impacted areas. Standing water has been removed from all impacted areas.  Testing to air quality and humidity levels across impacted spaces have resulted in acceptable ranges.

All impacted WPS units have returned to Headquarters and continue their operations at normal capacity. No safety incidents have been reported.

We are actively working with the City of Winnipeg to increase preventative measures within the tower building.

Important notes for the citizens of Winnipeg:

  • The extent of damage to WPS Headquarters is still being assessed and will take time to be fully evaluated.
  • Uniform operations continued to operate and were not compromised by this incident.
  • Station Duty (in-person reporting) at 245 Smith Street has reopened for normal operating hours.

As previously released:

On February 14, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the tower at 266 Graham Avenue experienced a flooding incident that impacted some working spaces in police headquarters. Although the disruption occurred after regular public reporting hours, a social media notification was issued to inform the community.

Preliminary information suggested a possible watermain break or bursting of upper-level pipes. However, further investigation determined that two individuals had opened several emergency water supply valves in the upper stairwells of the adjoining tower building at 266 Graham Avenue.

Within minutes, significant water pressure built up in the pipes and forced water into the stairwells of the tower, which flooded some areas of police headquarters. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service attended and secured the compromised valves. Unfortunately, the release of water caused extensive flooding damage. The extent of the damage is being assessed and will take time to fully evaluate. 

Police identified two suspects and quickly disseminated the information to the membership. Officers from General Patrol and the Cadet Unit extensively searched the surrounding area and located the suspects in the 200 block of Graham Avenue just after 11:00 p.m. They were turned over to the Major Crimes Unit.

A 51-year-old man, and a 36-year-old woman are both facing charges of Mischief Over $5,000 x 6 and were released on Undertakings.

 

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.