The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into allegations of a domestic assault and unauthorized access to computer data following a report from the RCMP.

According to the notification received on July 23, 2021, the RCMP advised a complaint was received from an individual later designated the affected person (AP). The AP advised they had been in a relationship with someone later identified as the subject officer (SO), and alleged the officer had assaulted her during an argument in 2019. After the relationship ended, the AP moved to a new residence and obtained new licence plates for her vehicle in July 2021.

Two days later, the AP said the SO contacted her with her new licence plate information and her new address. The AP was concerned the SO had used his position as a police officer to query her licence plate information through the Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC) or Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation (MPIC) data systems.

As the allegations in the notification are discretionary matters under the provisions of The Police Services Act (PSA), the civilian director determined that it was in the public interest for an independent investigation to be undertaken by the IIU.

A team of IIU investigators was assigned to the investigation. One RCMP officer was identified as the subject officer. IIU investigators conducted audits of access to CPIC and MPIC computer systems to ascertain whether AP’s license plate information was subject to any access, authorized or otherwise. Additional information obtained by IIU investigators included:

  • the occurrence summary report
  • copies of emails between AP and SO
  • copies of text messages between AP and SO

In this investigation, the IIU’s mandate was to determine if there should be consequences to the actions of the subject officer. Following interviews with the AP and SO and a detailed review of this IIU investigation and file material, the IIU has determined:

  • there is insufficient evidence to support any finding that reasonable grounds exist in respect to an allegation of assault from 2019; and
  • no one, including the SO or anyone on behalf of SO, accessed any computer system or obtained any computer data that would disclose either AP’s current license plate number or address.

The IIU investigation is now closed.