Operating funds of the university’s Security Services show an increasing trend over the past decade from 2014-24, according to records obtained under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Despite the trend, since 2021-22, funding for Security Services has been on the decline, decreasing by $178,688 — or 5.5 per cent — to $3,097,245 for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Director of U of M Security Services Gordon Perrier stated that “reported crime levels on campus have remained stable over the last decade and a variation in expenses does not correlate with a decrease in safety. We have very robust security services in comparison to any other Winnipeg neighbourhoods, but we are not immune from crime.”
The request for access to information, “total university funds allocated to the university Security Services for each fiscal year to conduct their operations,” indicates that the department has received over $31 million from 2014-24, with a yearly average operating fund of over $2.8 million during that period. A fiscal year at the university is a 12-month period that runs from April 1 to March 31.
Security Services strives to “[support] a safe environment in which members of our community can live, work, study and enjoy life at the University of Manitoba,” according to their website.
The department is responsible for leading safety initiatives on campus, such as responding to reports of suspicious people and vehicles on campus, medical emergencies and safety and security alarms. Other responsibilities include assisting with unscheduled door openings, assisting Parking Services and offering safe walks and safe rides — a free service in which staff will meet and walk with you or provide a ride to and from your car, class, residence room or bus stop.
Operating funds for Security Services was lowest during the 2016-17 fiscal year at $2,521,668 and was highest from 2021-22 at $3,275,933 — a 19.3 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year.
Perrier indicated that expenses each year fluctuate for several reasons, with primary causes being infrastructure, staffing and training.
“In 2024, staffing and training realized a small savings due to onboarding timelines and in-kind training from the province of Manitoba, in relation to the Institutional Safety Officer Program,” stated Perrier.
“We recognize safety is at the forefront for many students’ minds and the most important thing to know is that UM Security Services is committed to our safety programs, 24/7/365 patrols, crime-mitigation tool and actions that help support safety for everyone on campus.”
Security Services can be reached on the Fort Garry campus at 204-474-9312 and on the Bannatyne campus at 204-789-3330.
