Selkirk residents may have noticed a new vehicle patrolling the streets this year. Since May 2025, the City of Selkirk has been supported by its first Community Safety Officer (CSO), a Peace Officer who has been actively working across the community alongside the By-Law Enforcement team and the RCMP. The CSO provides outreach, conducts proactive patrols, delivers public education, and enforces select provincial legislation such as the Highway Traffic Act and the Off-road Vehicles Act.
Unlike the RCMP, CSOs do not respond to emergency calls when you call 911. Instead, their focus is on promoting community safety by deterring crime, addressing unsafe behaviour, and creating stakeholder relationships through a combination of education, prevention, and enforcement.
the Community Safety Officer is here to work alongside the RCMP and other agencies to help create a safer environment for everyone.
Director of Protective Services, Kristy Hill
Kristy Hill, Director of Protective Services for the City of Selkirk says that the Community Safety Officer is here to work alongside the RCMP and other agencies to help create a safer environment for everyone.
“It’s about being proactive—preventing issues before they escalate and engaging with the community in meaningful ways.”
In Selkirk, the officer conducts vehicle and walking patrols, participates in crime prevention initiatives, and attends community events. The CSO is also able to enforce municipal by-laws.
A proactive approach to community safety
CAO Duane Nicol highlighted how the CSO builds upon the work that the city has done to maintain and improve community safety and security.
“Building a vibrant, safe, and healthy community is a pillar of our community strategic plan. People want safe neighbourhoods and streets and the CSO program gives us one more tool in our toolbox to help address concerns.”
The role adds flexibility to Selkirk’s approach to community safety by introducing a tiered policing model. Rather than relying solely on RCMP officers who need to prioritize emergency calls, the CSO can focus on proactive patrols in areas identified by citizens through the CitizenSupport system or using data from the RCMP flagging areas of concern.
Compliance with a Community Safety Officers Is Required by Law
Citizens are legally required to comply with a CSO’s signals, just as they would with an RCMP officer, including pulling over when indicated by lights and sirens, failing to do so may result in drivers receiving additional tickets under the Highway Traffic Act.
“Having a Community Safety Officer means more eyes and ears in our neighbourhoods. It means we have a deployable resource to help us nimbly respond to priority areas and emerging trends. And it provides an additional resource to support the RCMP when needed,” said Nicol.
Selkirk RCMP 100% on board
Selkirk RCMP detachment lead inspector Chris Lambert said the detachment is 100 per cent on board with what they consider a supplemental resource for their staff.
“We have received positive and curious feedback from the public over the role and there is a learning curve for people to understand”.
“It’s a new element from the law enforcement landscape, and members of the public are probably taking some time to understand and recognize the fact that the CSO for the City of Selkirk is in fact a peace officer,” said Lambert.
The Community Safety Officer program was first introduced by the province in 2014, with the City of Thompson becoming the province’s first municipality to launch a CSO pilot in 2015. Since then, several communities have followed suit, including Portage la Prairie, the Rural Municipalities of Hanover, Rockwood and East St. Paul, and the Town of Sainte‑Anne.
The CSO program was introduced in Selkirk after the City entered an agreement with the provincial government, a requirement for municipalities wishing to appoint a CSO. The officer’s authority and duties are defined in the Community Safety Officer Regulation, allowing the City to tailor the role to local needs.
Educating the public, connecting people with resources and building relationships
Residents can expect to see the CSO engaging with the community regularly, enforcing provincial legislation and municipal by-laws, and assisting other emergency services when needed.
“It’s not just about enforcement,” said Hill.
“It’s about connecting with people, educating them on safe practices, and building relationships that make our city stronger and safer.”
For more information on the Community Safety Officer’s role, click here.
