Winnipeg Police officer changes course in helping others

A former Winnipeg police officer had seen enough.The officer put in 24 years of service between 1981-2005 working as a plain clothes officer in investigative units: including 1-1/2 years in the Winnipeg Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Unit.

Bo Kauffmann’s history as a police officer included training new recruits and worked in crime scene investigation units.

Kauffmann handed in his badge to serve the community in another way --'as a different type of special agent'.

Kauffmann retired from law enforcement to pursue a carreer in real estate: but he isn't your everyday real estate agent; he does a 'little' more than sell homes.

Kauffmann’s Philanthropic endeavours are impressive as are the honours Kauffmann has received.

--The Winnipeg Humane Society honoured Kauffmann in 1986 for saving a drowning dog that fell into the icy Red River.

Kauffmann is the ‘Builder’ of the Manitoba Real Estate Association Shelter Foundation: raising funds for shelter related causes, contributing to shelters for battered women, and sheltering for Winnipeg homeless persons.

Everyone deserves a safe home.

Kauffmann is a gold level financial contributor to the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital Foundation: In 2010 Kauffmann became a “Pathfinder” level supporter of the Winnipeg United Way and is a financial supporter of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

Kauffmann is a Real Estate agent for Remax Performance Realty and has recieved awards from Remax in 2007 (100% Club), 2008 and 2009 (both Platinum Club) and Winnipeg REALTORS® for 2007 and 2008 (Bronze Medallion) and 2009 (Silver Medallion)

The former Winnipeg police officer currently assists people in finding a homes.

Kauffmann says the kind of rush he used to get from catching the bad guys- is the same kind of rush he experiences when he sees other achieve their goals in obtaining their ‘dream home’ or in selling their home.

You don’t need to go too far in finding Bo Kauffmann on line or offline- his ‘mug shot’ can be seen pretty much everywhere- as Kauffmann is an avid student of learning and doing all he can when it comes to the internet, technology and creating an online presence, in order to service people even better.

Presenting Kauffmann with an opportunity to share his experiences as a police officer in Winnipeg, and why he retired from the force to pursue this new career choice: Kauffmann had this to share with us;

Q: "Bo-what drew you into law enforcement in the first place?”

A: I was 19 yrs. old.... and law enforcement was a well-respected (and I believe it STILL IS) career. Offering excitement, LOTS of variety, as opposed to a desk or office job, and an opportunity to make a difference.

Being able to carry a gun at 19, and chase down bad guys, PLUS get a regular pay check seemed like a great idea.

Q: "What was most enjoyable as an officer?"

A: Most enjoyable was in fact 'catching bad people' and helping victims at the same time. Whether it was catching a burglar in the act, or getting a confession and conviction, these were definitely the 'rushes' of the job.

Q: "What was least enjoyable?”

A: Least enjoyable was seeing the victims, the down-trodden at their worst moments. Remembering spending Christmas Eve in the St. Boniface Psych room, watching a father who tried to slit his wrists in front of his children- That sort of thing…

The other 'least favourite' was watching the bad guy (people) -walk out of court because of some type of clerical error, or lack of evidence, or because of a deal made with lawyers and prosecutors.

Q: "What made you choose real estate, and why go into that line of work? - "Was there a specific reason for your leaving the force?"

A: I actually retired from police work, as opposed to 'leaving it'. Police work provided a LOT of excitement, stimulation and satisfaction. Most of those moments came on night and evening shifts, when most of the action takes place.

However, after about 15 years of shift work, your body is having a tougher and tougher time adjusting to the constantly changing shifts... (One week of days, followed by one week of evenings and then one week of night-shifts)

You never really get used to one type of shift. So the department was good enough to accommodate me and find day-jobs, such as the "Crime Scene Officer", and eventually Station Duty.

While these were easier to deal with, they are also less satisfying -So after 24 yrs. I chose to retire and go into Real Estate.
Why Real Estate? -easy... I enjoyed dealing with people, and had discovered that people liked dealing with me. Finding out that I was fairly adept at "Marketing" was a bonus.

Q: “What’s the best part about being a real estate agent, or about this new career?"

A: The kind of 'rush' I used to get in catching bad people is now the same type of excitement I feel when helping someone obtain their dream home.

It is very satisfying to help someone achieve their goals, whether it is the sale of their current home or the purchase of a new one.

Sometimes, when people are going through a difficult time in their lives and NEED to sell their home, it is especially satisfying to help them in their time of need.

Q: "and the least part?"

A: The least appreciated part of my business- is the fierce competition for every client, and every listing.

Seeing someone list their home with another agent, who convinced them of the idea that the home is worth 30 grand more than it actually is, only to see them reduce their price over time and damage their marketability of the home…

"That can be frustrating for me to see."

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