Manitoba privatization fiasco - rent-a-cops with tasers

Provincial justice officials crack down on
overzealous private security company

Winnipeg - Manitoba justice officials have intervened to cool down a private security outfit that has been overstepping its authority by enforcing laws outside its jurisdiction.

A company called Prairie Bylaw Enforcement Services has been hired by several rural municipalities to supervise bylaws such as noise complaints, improper parking and illegal campfires.

Instead of confining themselves to areas they are competent to deal with, the overzealous rent-a-cops, some equipped with high-voltage taser guns, batons and radar, have been busting citizens for infractions normally policed by the RCMP.

Manitoba justice officials have been forced to intervene, taking taser guns away from the officers and ordering them to leave highways under provincial jurisdiction alone.

Mike Horn, an assistant deputy justice minister, says only bona fide police officers have the power to handle provincial traffic infractions and impaired driving offenses.

"Often officers are confronted by dangerous individuals during traffic work, and we have actually had peace officers in the province killed in the line of duty dealing with traffic stops," notes Horn.

"We have a dual responsibility here, not only to the general public and the municipalities concerned about law enforcement, but also to the safety of the employees of Prairie Bylaw."

Rural councils have been convinced to hire the profit-motivated company because it is offering a higher share of fines than the municipalities would otherwise receive. (NUPGE)

Web posted by NUPGE: 31 August 2004

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