The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) is changing its approach to cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The service is stepping back from a unit that was formed with the RCMP in 2011 and will focus more on crime prevention.

Chief Danny Smyth says this will include working to counter exploitation before it happens and bolstering missing persons investigations.

He says a new liaison officer will help police better communicate with families during investigations.

The R-C-M-P says it will continue to investigate all cases thoroughly and will work closely with Winnipeg Police.