The Winnipeg Police Service is launching a pilot project that will let officers connect with victims of break-ins through online video platforms like FaceTime and Google Duo.

The technology will allow police to do a virtual walk-through of the scene to determine whether additional resources, such as investigative and forensic officers, should be sent out.

"We know that when it comes to break-ins, collecting evidence gives us our best leverage of being able to resolve and catch somebody, so if we can speed up our assessment and speed up our response forensically, I think we'll do it," Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth told members of the Winnipeg Police Board at a briefing Friday.

Police want the public to know the reporting person is under no obligation to consent to a virtual assessment and the video will not be recorded or retained. (Winnipeg Police Service/YouTube)

The WPS believes it is the first police agency in North America — and perhaps the world — to test such a system.

The inspector in charge of the project didn't find any other police service using the technology this way, Smyth said.

"He's doing a lot of benchmarking with other services and he just couldn't find anyone else in his travels that has been trying this."

A demonstration can be viewed here.

Police hope to reduce response times for break-ins, noting there are more than 6,000 break-and-enters in the city every year.

There are an average of 200 calls in the queue for police service and the video link could help reduce that number, Smyth said.

Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth says the video link allows people to clean up after a break-in and get back to normal sooner. (Warren Kay/CBC)

When someone phones in to report a break-in, the officer will ask the caller to consent to a real-time video assessment. If consent is granted, officers will connect via mobile device with the victim, who will walk through the scene.

The project got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from the head of the police board.

"I believe that we have to become more creative in dealing with crime because of the limited resources we have and funding, of course. So I think this is a step forward," Kevin Klein said.

"We're waiting for Robocop to come on the scene," Winnipeg Police Association president Moe Sabourin says. (Warren Kay/CBC )

However, Winnipeg Police Association president Moe Sabourin is leery of the creeping use of technology instead of people.

"What's next? Is it going to be assaults? You know, can we take a picture of your injury over the phone? Do you know who the person is? Do you have any video surveillance? So where does it end?" Sabourin said to reporters.

"We're waiting for Robocop to come on the scene."

Police want the public to know the reporting person is under no obligation to consent to a virtual assessment and the video will not be recorded or retained in any way.