Sam Katz has unveiled his strategy for tackling crime in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

The announcement marked his first official one as part of the mayoral election race. The mayoral incumbent Katz is seeking his third term in office.

Katz vowed to add 77 more positions to the Winnipeg Police Service to help reduce crime, including 58 new officers and 19 more 911 com centre workers.

"This election is about reducing crime, offering our young people alternatives and taking back our communities," said Katz.

Among the new positions would be an additional 20 officers dedicated to fighting gangs, as well as 20 new officers for foot patrol in high crime areas, said Katz.

The Winnipeg Police Association is endorsing Katz. He's the first mayoral candidate the union says it has endorsed in nearly two decades.

"I don't think anyone could say this mayor hasn't been committed to ensuring police have adequate resources but we have a very difficult problem here--we have a lot of violent crime," said Mike Sutherland, president of the WPA.

On average, if people call 911 in Winnipeg, they'll wait double the national standard of time before speaking to someone, said Sutherland.

The WPA's endorsement of Katz comes a few weeks after it applauded Judy Wasylycia-Leis' promise in August to use community-based tools to fight crime.

"I've said all along I'm not seeking the endorsement of any union or business group," said Wasylycia-Leis, who is also running for mayor.

Wasylycia-Leis said more officers are needed but she isn't making any promises yet.

One local political scientist said Katz's announcement could swing some voters.

"This is the chance for Sam Katz to sort of come out ahead from the campaign that's being run by Judy Wasylycia-Leis," said Shannon Sampert, a political science professor at the University of Winnipeg.  

If re-elected, Katz is promising to get 911 operators and police officers on the job as soon as possible, but first he'll have to find a way to pay the approximately $5 million for them.

He said he's considering next year's budget, but pledges there wouldn't be any cuts to services.

Voters head to the polls on Oct. 27.

- with a report from CTV's Laura Lowe