Dramatic jump in homicides causing 'very stressful time' for Manitoba Mounties

The head of the Manitoba RCMP's major crime services says officers are feeling the impact of a dramatic jump in the number of homicides Mounties in the province have faced this year. 

As of Thursday, there have been 56 homicides in RCMP jurisdictions, an increase from the 30 homicides and three suspicious deaths recorded in the entirety of 2023.

"It's a very stressful time for not only our major crime services, but for the RCMP across Manitoba in general," said RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson, the officer in charge of major crime services. "What you need to understand is, the homicides are scattered throughout Manitoba."

Just last week, RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre told CBC News the major crimes unit was being "run off their feet right now." 

On Thursday, Lasson said when fully staffed, the major crimes homicide teams would be comprised of 36 investigators responsible for "the front line response to new investigations" and a special projects section which is roughly 14 or 16 people taking on more complex, long-term investigations.

"But right now because of the numbers, we've combined both of those teams to make sure we can provide the best service across the province," he said.

Lasson was mum on details about where the unit currently sits staffing-wise, but said it fluctuates because there are people on maternity or paternity leave or those who might be on long-term sick leave. 

"What they see, especially with these numbers, is chronic exposure to trauma," said Lasson. "We have to keep a strong mind on that."

Multi-person killings have contributed: RCMP  

One of the reasons why the number of homicides in Manitoba RCMP jurisdiction is so high is because of multiple-person killings that happened this year, said Lasson.  

This past winter, the bodies of five family members were found in various locations in southern Manitoba. 

All five victims and the accused lived together in the community of Carman, about 75 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

In an unrelated incident months later, three members of a McCreary, Man., family were killed in what RCMP called a "horrific act of intimate partner violence."

Manitoba RCMP are also currently investigating the deaths of a Portage la Prairie couple believed to be victims of a targeted double homicide. 

"We've seen an increase since the pandemic … and whatever emotional, economic effect or social effect that has had on people, more pressure, economic pressure — times are tough now," said Lasson. "When you throw addictions and mental health issues into the pot, I think that has a cumulative effect on some of that violent crime." 

Lasson also said Manitoba RCMP have a high case clearance rate, which is "upwards of 90 per cent."

"The reason for that is getting into a community and gathering that evidence very quickly," he said. "Our communities that we respond to are very supportive and it's very important that the communities continue to trust us and provide information when we arrive, that's how we solve these crimes." 

'You're not superhuman and you can't take it all' 

The stress stemming from the jump in homicide numbers is something National Police Federation Prairie director Bobby Baker can empathize with. 

As a 28-year-member of the RCMP, Baker spent parts of his career working as a major crimes investigator, supervisor and unit commander in the homicide unit and cold cases unit. 

"Working in homicide is a [post-traumatic stress disorder] machine," said Baker. "It can wreck your personal life. 

"The toll it takes on our members and their families … there's no stability and the things that they see and experience, dealing with body parts to the details of a horrific crime and then going to see a family and try and explain what happened, that's a recipe for PTSD." 

But Baker said something that's helping now is the "stigma is gone" when it comes to PTSD.

"People go and see a psychologist, get different types of treatment, get help," he said. "They talk with each other about that now, there's no shame in that. 

"It's expected if you're going to do a job like that that you're not superhuman and you can't take it all and you look after yourself," said Baker.

Meanwhile, Lasson said it's going to take time for Manitoba Mounties figure out why there are nearly double the amount of homicides this year over last year. 

"Is this just an anomaly year where we've seen an increased number or is this going to be a continued trend," he said. "But we'll know more as we go into 2025."