KLEIN: Manitoba needs a sheriff or marshal program to tackle crime

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Crime in Manitoba is no longer a rural or urban issue — it’s a provincial crisis. Rising rates of violent offences, property crime, and the overwhelming number of outstanding warrants are leaving Manitobans feeling unsafe and unprotected.

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There were a staggering 56 homicides in the RCMP’s coverage area in 2024, compared to just 30 the previous year. Property crime in rural areas also surged, up 43% in eastern Manitoba and 37% in the west.

In Winnipeg, the effects of rising crime are evident in the day-to-day lives of residents and business owners. Escalating violence, break-ins, and drug-related crimes are fueling public fear and frustration. At the same time, the RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) are stretched too thin to address the growing backlog of outstanding warrants or patrol vulnerable areas effectively.

A new approach is necessary. Manitoba should implement legislative changes and introduce an enhanced sheriff or marshal program to provide focused support to law enforcement, target violent offenders, apprehend those wanted on warrants, and improve public safety across the province.

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Proven models exist in other provinces. The Alberta Sheriffs Branch, for instance, have shown how additional law enforcement resources can reduce crime and ease the burden on police. Alberta sheriffs specialize in warrant apprehension, highway patrol, and other focused tasks that free up police resources for major investigations. Saskatchewan is following suit with its marshal program, which is set to launch next year. With an annual budget of $20 million, the Saskatchewan Marshals Service will focus on apprehending high-risk offenders and addressing crime in rural and agricultural areas.

Manitoba would greatly benefit from a similar program. An enhanced sheriff or marshal service could play a crucial role in protecting our province’s borders, intercepting illegal firearms and drugs before they enter communities and improving safety in rural areas where crime often goes unchecked.

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This program wouldn’t just address the issue of violent offenders, it would also help disrupt the flow of illegal activity into Manitoba. The province’s vast borders are frequently exploited for trafficking drugs, firearms, and stolen property. A sheriff or marshal program could focus on border enforcement in partnership with federal agencies, providing an additional layer of security.

Funding for such a program wouldn’t have to come from taxpayers. Manitoba could adopt Alberta’s model, where fines for traffic violations and proceeds from crime provide the necessary revenue. Offenders, not victims or law-abiding citizens, would bear the financial burden. This approach would ensure the program’s sustainability without further straining public resources.

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Addressing outstanding warrants must also be a priority. Many individuals wanted for violent crimes remain at large simply because there aren’t enough officers available to pursue them. A sheriff or marshal program could focus specifically on apprehending these individuals, ensuring they are brought to justice and reducing the risk they pose to public safety.

Communities need real solutions, not Band-Aids. While well-meaning, initiatives like Winnipeg’s Transit Safety Officers lack the authority or equipment to deal with serious offenders. Similarly, rural safety programs often fail because they don’t have the tools or legislative backing to combat crime effectively. A sheriff or marshal program and new legislation would change that, providing trained personnel with the authority to enforce the law and assist police services.

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The need for change is urgent. Politicians often respond to public outcry over crime with temporary funding or overtime programs, but these solutions fade all too quickly. Crime will not solve itself. Manitobans want a sustainable, proactive approach that adapts to our province’s changing realities.

I would immediately launch a robust Manitoba Sheriff or Marshal program if it were me. This program would focus on warrant apprehension, violent offenders, and border enforcement. It would operate in close collaboration with the RCMP and WPS, filling gaps and ensuring our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to protect Manitobans. Funding would come from traffic fines and proceeds of crime, not through additional taxes. This approach would send a clear message: criminals are not welcome here and those who break the law will pay the cost of enforcement.

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The status quo is no longer good enough. Times are changing, and our approach to public safety must change with them. Manitobans need a new solution, one that tackles crime head-on and ensures our communities, rural and urban alike, feel secure again. A sheriff or marshal program isn’t just an idea — it’s the action we need to take now. Let’s adapt, innovate, and commit to protecting the people of this province. That’s what I would do.

— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and President & CEO of Klein Group Ltd.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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