Winnipeg Police Use-of-Force Records Request

Public Safety Manitoba 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Manitoba

Introduction

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, people seeking police use-of-force records must follow the city and police records request process. This guide explains who to contact, what to include in a request, possible fees and typical timelines for the Winnipeg Police Service and City of Winnipeg access offices. Use this as a practical checklist for submitting a request, tracking progress and pursuing review or appeal if access is denied or withheld.

Start by identifying the incident date, location and officer badge numbers if available.

How to request use-of-force records

To request records, prepare a clear written request describing the records you want (incident date, time, location, names or badge numbers, and any file or occurrence number). Include your full contact details and indicate whether you want copies by email or hard copy. Submit the request to the Winnipeg Police Service Records Unit or the City of Winnipeg access office according to the instructions below.

  • Include incident identifiers: date, time, location, occurrence/file number if known.
  • Provide contact details: full name, mailing address, email and phone number.
  • State preferred delivery: electronic copy or hard copy by mail.

Penalties & Enforcement

Access, disclosure and record-keeping obligations for police records in Winnipeg are governed by municipal access procedures and applicable provincial access/privacy legislation as implemented by the Winnipeg Police Service and the City of Winnipeg. Specific monetary fines or daily penalties for non-compliance are not specified on the cited pages in the official municipal records instructions.

  • Enforcer: Winnipeg Police Service Records Unit and City of Winnipeg Access/Privacy Office are responsible for handling requests and enforcing disclosure obligations.
  • Appeals/review: internal review and external review routes apply; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Fines/fees: routine application fees or reproduction charges may apply; fee amounts are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary remedies: orders to release records, redaction requirements, or court orders are potential remedies under access regimes; detailed procedures are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Inspection and complaint: complaints about a response should be directed to the City access office or other designated review body as noted by the municipality.
If a request is denied in whole or in part, ask for a written explanation and the review/appeal steps.

Applications & Forms

The Winnipeg Police Service typically accepts written requests to the Records Unit; no single universal form is required in all cases on the municipal pages. If a specific access request form exists, it is published by the City or Police records pages; where a published form is not linked, submit a signed written request. Fees and submission addresses are described on the official records pages or by contacting the Records Unit directly.

Action steps

  • Gather incident details and any occurrence/file number.
  • Prepare a signed written request describing the records you seek.
  • Submit the request to the Winnipeg Police Service Records Unit or City access office and keep a copy.
  • Pay any reproduction fees if requested and track timelines provided in the response.
  • If denied, request written reasons and follow the listed review or appeal steps on the municipal site.

FAQ

Who handles use-of-force record requests in Winnipeg?
The Winnipeg Police Service Records Unit and the City of Winnipeg access/privacy office handle requests and disclosures.
How long does a request take?
Response timelines vary; specific statutory or municipal timelines are not specified on the cited pages.
Are there fees to get copies?
Reproduction or processing fees may apply; exact fee amounts are not specified on the cited pages.

How-To

  1. Identify the incident details and any occurrence number you have.
  2. Draft a clear, signed written request describing the records you want and your contact details.
  3. Deliver the request to the Winnipeg Police Service Records Unit or the City access office by the method they list (email, mail or in person).
  4. Respond to any fee invoices and await the Records Unit response; note any timeline given in the reply.
  5. If access is denied, request written reasons and follow the review or appeal steps provided by the municipality.

Key Takeaways

  • Be precise: include dates, times and occurrence numbers to speed processing.
  • Contact the Records Unit or City access office for submission details and possible fees.

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