Crime was noted as a top priority in many polls leading up to the municipal election last October, when Sam Katz campaigned on a promise to hire more officers. (CBC)

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz is taking steps toward fulfilling one of his campaign promises — hiring more police officers.

He announced on Tuesday that he intends to table a motion at an upcoming Executive Policy Committee (EPC) meeting to hire an additional 58 officers for the Winnipeg Police Service.

“We’ve worked hard to secure a police helicopter, implement the city’s first full-time tactical support unit, and ensure Winnipeggers are seeing our new cadets on our city streets," Katz stated in a news release.

"We need to keep taking a comprehensive approach to tackling crime in our city and I am pleased to take this first step by providing more officers to keep our citizens safe.”

Of the 58 officers, Katz proposed 20 be deployed to combat gangs as part of a unit modeled after the successful auto theft strategy, 20 be used for foot patrols in high-risk areas, and the other 18 be used to create another full shift for the patrol unit deployed to cruiser cars.

'The Winnipeg Police Service has implemented various initiatives to combat violent crime and make Winnipeg a safer place, but we need to do more.'—Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz

He estimates the new officers would cost $4.2 million for the first year.

Crime was noted as a top priority in many polls leading up to the municipal election last October, when Katz campaigned on a promise to hire more officers.

"Gang activity across Canada has become increasingly more prevalent and organized in recent years, leading to increased instances of significant violent crime," states the news release from Katz.

"The Winnipeg Police Service has implemented various initiatives to combat violent crime and make Winnipeg a safer place, but we need to do more."

The EPC meeting takes place Wednesday morning.

Katz's motion would still need to be passed by city council, should EPC give it the thumbs up.