The Wrap: Police moonlighting, psychologist-inmate affair, city remote work, female sports officials
Plus: The design and reno firm behind Winnipeg's buzzy, visually-striking eateries

Winnipeg police officers spent more than 50,000 hours doing special duty work over 13 months from May 2023 until June 2024, according to data obtained by the Free Press.

Special duty is overtime work picked up by police officers on a voluntary basis and typically paid for by private companies, such as directing traffic outside a business, supervising a high school grad or film set, or thwarting would-be shoplifters.

Critics say the practice tarnishes police force reputations, adds to officer burnout and indirectly siphons off public dollars. Officers, meanwhile, defend the work, saying it’s a good gig that allows them to earn extra cash and perks outside the confines of an otherwise stressful job.

Katrina Clarke and Matthew Frank shine a light on police moonlighting.

It has all the ingredients of a made-for-TV court drama:

A former inmate and mental-health patient was once embroiled in a shocking murder case.

A court-ordered psychologist whose ongoing assessments were critical to the terms of his custody.

And a “campaign of harassment” that erupted after the two had a sexual affair.

Dean Pritchard reports on a case that exposed a serious breach in professional standards as part of the criminal review process.

City of Winnipeg employees will soon be required to work in the office at least three days per week.

A Friday email to city council members indicated the city’s flexible workplace program will change, effective Jan. 6, to become “consistent” across city departments and match the rules of other governments and large employers.

The head of the city’s largest union said he’s concerned some staff will quit over the changes, noting the retention of skilled workers was considered a key reason to continue allowing remote work after the pandemic.

Joyanne Pursaga reports from city hall.

Male and female officials in many sports in Manitoba endure the indignities of verbal and sometimes physical abuse while plying their trade.

But women surely have the tougher path, encountering slurs and challenges to their sanity and intelligence on an almost regular basis.

How difficult is it to be a female official in what used to be an exclusively male domain? The Free Press talked to six female officials in the sports of hockey, football and basketball to find out.

Fireside Design Build is a boutique interior design and renovation firm responsible for making bold esthetics a growing focal point of Winnipeg’s hospitality scene.

While the studio does a mix of residential and commercial work, a fascination with restaurants started while designing the cosy alcoves and moody decor of Harth Mozza & Wine Bar in 2017.

The firm’s portfolio has since grown to include the ambitious umbrella and rain rooms of Nonsuch Brewing Co.; the luxe, feminine lounge of Rosé Coffee & Wine; and the dramatic two-tiered dining room of Parcel Pizza, among other buzzy, visually-striking local eateries.

Eva Wasney talks to co-founders Jaclyn Wiebe and Adam Bumbolo about their esthetic sensibilities.