The union representing Winnipeg police officers is calling on city council to ask the RCMP to look into the city's fire hall land swap deal.

The land deal has been the centre of attention this week at city hall, following the release of a scathing audit report that details how the city gave Shindico Realty three pieces of city-owned land in exchange for property on Taylor Avenue —still owned by Shindico — where a new fire hall has been built.

Winnipeg Police Association president Mike Sutherland says the Ernst and Young audit report has raised enough questions to merit a police investigation.

"An RCMP investigation would be able to look at the issue in terms of the entire legality, if there were perhaps some questions of individuals who may or may not have profited specifically as a result of ensuring that transactions went a certain way," he said Thursday.

Sutherland said while an RCMP investigation of the land deal could potentially result in criminal charges, he noted that that would be pure speculation at this point.

A police investigation may prove that nothing criminal occurred, which would help restore the public's trust in city hall, he added.

The audit report found that nothing illegal occurred, but said it found contracts were awarded to Shindico on a non-competitive basis and deliberate moves were made to keep the deal out of the hands of city council.

Sutherland said while he's happy city council has approved a legal review of the land swap, he thinks councillors should also invite RCMP to do the same.

Police would be able to uncover more than a financial or legal audit, he said.

"We know, for example, in regards to the Senate expense question, since the RCMP have become involved there's been some additional information that's come to light that's, of course, very significant to the public and in the public interest," he said.

Sutherland also pointed to municipal scandals in Montreal and Laval, Que., as examples of what could come out of police investigations.