The Manitoba government is paving the way for municipalities to have new peace officers, including ones to monitor Winnipeg Transit buses.

A bill presented in the legislature Tuesday would expand the scope and authority of community safety officers and let municipalities decide where to use them.

The move would help Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham fulfil a plan he announced earlier this month to put 24 officers on the transit system to reduce violence.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen says other municipalities could use the safety officers for things like enforcement of the Highway Traffic Act.

City plans to hire, train 24 Winnipeg Transit security officers this year, mayor says

The City of Winnipeg will hire and train 24 peace officers to patrol transit buses and bus stops before the end of this year, Mayor Scott Gillingham announced in his first state of the city address on Thursday.

Scott Gillingham delivers 1st state of the city address

White bus on the street in front of the Buhler Centre on Portage Avenue, with a police officer securing yellow police tape to a lamp post beside it.

A Winnipeg police officer tapes off a transit bus following an incident on a downtown route in March 2020.

Police and Winnipeg Transit bus

The city will hire 24 peace officers to patrol Winnipeg Transit buses by the end of this year, Mayor Scott Gillingham said in his state of the city address on Thursay.

$5 million for Winnipeg Transit security team a good start, union says, but devil is in the details

The union for Winnipeg Transit workers says the city's investment in a transit security service is a good start to tackle the issue of safety, and will hopefully encourage some riders to once again take the bus.

City to spend $5 million for a transit security team

A bus is driving through an intersection during a snow storm. A street sign says "Portage Avenue." The bus sign says "14 Paddington." 

Commuting during a snowstorm in downtown Winnipeg in Feb 2022. See Winnipeg Transit bus.

Snowstorm Commute

Recent violence in the Winnipeg Transit system has prompted calls for improved safety. Mayor Scott Gillingham on Tuesday announced the city will spend $5 million for a transit security service.

Woman harassed by 'erratic' man on bus says Winnipeg Transit needs security on-board

A Manitoba woman wants Winnipeg Transit to provide better security after she says a man threatened her on a city bus earlier this week.

Winnipeg Transit hopes its new spine and feeder system in southwest Winnipeg will move passengers faster and more conveniently.

Transit

A hostile situation on a Winnipeg city bus has left a woman scared to leave her home, and she's calling for better security from Winnipeg Transit.

Gillingham has said&nbsp;the presence of Winnipeg Transit security personnel, who would not be armed with guns,&nbsp;would free up police for other duties.

Goertzen says unlike cadets, who are used in Winnipeg as an auxiliary civilian force, the new peace officers would have the right to detain people.

A file photo shows a Winnipeg police officer taping off a transit bus following an incident on a downtown route.

Province introduces bill that would empower city to put peace officers on Winnipeg Transit buses

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