As Steinbach continues to grow, city officials say they are encouraged by signs that local policing resources are heading in the right direction.
Mayor Earl Funk recently met with newly appointed Steinbach RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Maxwell and says he is confident the detachment's new leadership, combined with improving recruitment numbers across Manitoba, will help strengthen crime prevention and enforcement efforts in the city.
Funk says Maxwell is eager to serve the community and has made public safety a priority.
"He wants to definitely get crime under control and get visibility out there, and he's going to be working hard at that," Funk says.
Staffing outlook improving
One of the key challenges facing RCMP detachments across Canada in recent years has been officer shortages. Funk says Maxwell is focused on bringing Steinbach's officer complement up to full strength before looking at the possibility of additional officers in the future.
"Across Canada itself there was a huge shortage, but I think that those numbers are getting more and more healthy every year," Funk says.
According to Funk, 2026 marks an important turning point for Manitoba.
"2026 is the first year that Manitoba will actually have a surplus retention of officers since I think 2023 or something like that," he says.
Funk believes improved recruitment and retention efforts could eventually translate into a stronger police presence in Steinbach.
"I think we're going to start to see real changes in our crime fighting and crime prevention in our city," he says.
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Recognition for longtime local leadership
While discussing the transition to Maxwell's leadership, Funk also praised Sgt. Joanne Ryll, who has served in policing for decades and has led the Steinbach detachment through a period without a permanent staff sergeant.
"We've been so very thankful with having Joanne Ryll. She's been just amazing and she's just a pleasure to work with and she's done such a great job," Funk says.
Funk notes that Ryll's lengthy career has been a significant asset to the community.
"Forty-five years, that's a long time to be in the service of law enforcement," he says.
City continues security partnership
While waiting for RCMP staffing levels to improve, the City of Steinbach has continued investing in additional community safety measures.
Last year, the city contracted a private security company to help address concerns related to crime, vandalism and public safety. Funk says the arrangement continues to produce positive results.
"We're getting good reports from that. That's continuing," he says.
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The security personnel work alongside the city's Community Safety Officers, commonly known as CSOs.
Funk says council will maintain those additional resources as long as they are needed.
"We are committed to community safety, so that is something we'll keep growing on and we'll keep working with the security company as long as it's necessary," he says.
Expanded role for Community Safety Officers
The city has also expanded its Community Safety Officer program by hiring a second CSO, something Funk says has already proven beneficial.
Community Safety Officers assist with a wide range of responsibilities, including bylaw enforcement, some Highway Traffic Act matters, support for RCMP investigations, and issues related to homelessness and community order.
He added that their responsibilities have grown significantly in recent years.
"They have many, many jobs and are very, very busy," Funk says.
For decades Steinbach operated with a single Community Safety Officer. The addition of a second officer has improved coverage and safety, particularly when responding to calls that require two people.
"I think it's been a really good addition hiring that second CSO," Funk says.
As Steinbach's population continues to grow, the mayor says a combination of stronger RCMP staffing, private security support and expanded Community Safety Officer resources will remain important components of the city's approach to public safety.
