End of retail ‘gravy train’ should get more police boots on the ground
If Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers has his way, the “Superstore gravy train” is going to be derailed.
Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers plans to end the "Superstore gravy train" that allows off-duty officers to moonlight as security for retail businesses. The program, which began with a $205 annual fee, will be derailed by May. Bowers cites a shortage of off-duty officers to fill regular shift gaps as the reason for the reduction.
The Winnipeg Police Association, which supports special duty opportunities, has not yet commented on the directive. However, some officers are concerned about the loss of a lucrative program that provided predictable overtime pay and lower-risk work. The program was particularly valuable during periods of high shoplifting rates.
In 2024, WPS members had worked more than 50,000 hours patrolling retail stores. The reduction of 78 full-time officers in 2024, coupled with the increasing demands on police resources from protests, traffic, and special events, has sparked a political debate about the number of officers needed to handle core law enforcement duties in Winnipeg.
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