Winnipeg police seek outside review of helicopter unit operations

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This article was published 19/03/2018 (2939 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The future of the city’s AIR1 helicopter is up in the air.

The Winnipeg Police Service has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for professional consultants to review efficiency of its flight operations unit (FOU), which is responsible for the oft-criticized chopper. The RFP is posted on the City of Winnipeg’s website and the submissions deadline is noon April 9.

The review is meant to “determine if funding and resources allocated to the FOU aligns with the mission, goals and strategies of the 2015-2019 strategic/business plan as well as unit objectives,” police said in a Monday news release.

Police unveiled the $3.5-million dollar helicopter in December 2010 and it became the city’s official eye in the sky the next year.

According to its last publicly available operations report, the helicopter had a $1.9-million annual operating budget in 2016.

After issuing a news release about the initiative Monday, no one from the WPS was available for an interview about the goals and cost of the RFP.

The police’s public information office sent a prepared statement on behalf of Superintendent Scot Halley, who oversees operational support.

“At the end of our press conference on May 29, 2017, Deputy Chief Gord Perrier stated that the intention of the WPS was to have an external review conducted. Today’s announcement formalizes our commitment to be responsible and accountable to the public regarding Air1,” Halley said by email.

“The intention of this review is to be independent, open and transparent about the program. The results of the program evaluation, once completed, will be reviewed by the Executive and form part of our discussion with the Winnipeg Police Board in formulating our Strategic Plan.”

In a subsequent email, spokesperson Const. Rob Carver said the service couldn’t comment on the cost of the RFP while the process is ongoing, but confirmed the costs associated with the review are already budgeted and “no additional funds will be sought.” 

In 2016, the NDP government announced it wanted to conduct its own independent review of the police’s flight unit. When the PC government took over, the plan was scrapped as the province moved toward a “basket funding” approach for the City of Winnipeg, which gave the city more wiggle room on how to spend its dollars on public safety.

Winnipeg’s 2015-19 strategic policing plan makes no mention of AIR1 or the flight operations unit, but outlines “effective and efficient service” as one of its four goals. (The other three are cutting down on crime and victimization, engaging communities and having a healthy organization.)

The local police helicopter has drawn public ire for various reasons, including being expensive, accidentally broadcasting an X-rated conversation over the West Endand, most recently, appearing in a movie shoot. Officers have repeatedly defended the chopper, saying it’s a vital investigative tool that saves lives.

Kevin Walby, an associate professor in criminal justice at the University of Winnipeg, said the police ought to ask for more public input on its review of AIR1.

“It’s a kind of lightning rod for criticism, probably because it’s always kind of hovering above us and it’s a constant reminder of police presence,” Walby said.

“And so it’s sort of baffling to me why the WPS wouldn’t take some leadership on this and try to have more of an open process. Maybe have some public forums or try to collect public opinion about it a bit more.”

Walby said the police should consult more on all aspects of their service, not just for flight operations.

Policing accounts for $291.5 million (or 27 per cent) of the city’s preliminary 2018 operating budget.

“It’s our tax dollars paying for police at the end of the day and they never seem to do that (public consultation),” he said. “That’s why it’s a little bit irksome to me that, once again, it seems to be more closed doors and secretive.”

Steven Kohm, chair of the U of W’s criminal justice department, welcomed the proposed independent review.

“So far, the justifications that I have heard for AIR1 from WPS seem largely anecdotal. If it’s truly good value for the money, an independent review will support keeping AIR1 going,” he said. “If not, perhaps it’s time to look at other ways to spend the money to get more out of our scarce public dollars.”

jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @_jessbu