You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

There are growing conversations about the long wait times for police response in Winnipeg, calls in the cue. Whether it’s a call for help during a crisis, a concern for safety, or an escalating emergency — our city’s ability to respond effectively is being tested, and in many cases, is failing. I hear the frustration from Winnipeggers every day.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

This isn’t the first time policing has been a hot topic in our city. I remember the wave of protests during the “Defund the Police” movement, which surged through the legislative grounds with hundreds upon hundreds of people carrying signs that called for drastic cuts to our law enforcement budget. I saw politicians standing among them, some even proudly posting photos on social media. I recall Minister of Health Uzoma Asagwara and Councilor Markus Chambers, who is now the current Police Board Chair, among them. They, and others, have aligned themselves with a message that some people feel resonates with progress. I am not afraid to say I believe firmly that defunding the police is not the answer.

One recurring suggestion is that other professionals should be responding to certain types of calls instead of police officers. I get it — there are valid concerns that law enforcement may not always be the best first responder for every situation, especially in cases involving a mental health crisis or verifying someone’s........

© Winnipeg Sun