Commissioner's Message

I would like to welcome you to Manitoba's Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) website.

The Law Enforcement Review Act strives to

promote a high standard of professional conduct among police officers in Manitoba.
guarantee each citizen in Manitoba the opportunity for an independent investigation and review of their complaints against on duty municipal police officers.
provide a mechanism for the resolution of complaints in a manner that is fair both to the complainant and the respondent police officer(s).
ensure that the conduct of police officers is consistent with the rule of law and the ideas of a democratic and open society.

Our website is designed to be transparent and provide a range of information that includes our history, how to file a complaint, legislation and its application, news releases, annual reports and links to other civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies. Decisions by provincial court judges and Court of King’s Bench judges are also posted.

I hope that you find our website user-friendly and helpful.Your comments or suggestions are welcome and may be directed to: lera@gov.mb.ca

Thank you for visiting.

Harmen Wouda
Commissioner

"Policing is first and foremost a service to the public; the more it is at odds with the composition and values of that public, the less well it works."

Max Yalden, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission

Police officers generally work hard to uphold the law, protect life and property, and maintain good relations with the public they serve. For the most part, police carry out their duties without public complaint, and often receive praise and support from the public.

From time to time however, police action can result in a citizen being treated unjustly. In such an event the citizen may make a complaint to this Agency. Any complaint will be dealt with in accordance with The Law Enforcement Review Act. The procedures established under this Act are followed to register and investigate the complaint and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a public hearing concerning the complaint. At a public hearing, if a complaint is substantiated, an officer faces disciplinary action ranging from a reprimand to dismissal from the force.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) is to deliver a judicious, timely, impartial, client-oriented service to the public and to the police services and police officers within its jurisdiction.