The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the arrest of an adult male by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) that resulted in him sustaining a dislocated elbow, fractured tibia and fibula on February 18, 2020.

According to the notification received on August 11, 2020, the WPS advised officers responded to a report of a male operating a stolen vehicle on McPhillips Street. The male attempted to evade police and the stolen vehicle collided with a taxi in the area of McPhillips Street and Jarvis Avenue. The male was removed from the vehicle, handcuffed and subsequently transported to Health Sciences Centre where he was treated and released, suffering from a dislocated elbow and bruising. The male was detained in custody.

On August 10, 2020 WPS received correspondence from the Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) advising that, as a result of a complaint they received, LERA had secured medical evidence that indicated the male suffered fractures to his right tibia and fibula as a result of this incident.

As an allegation of fractures to a tibia and fibula meets the definition of a serious injury pursuant to the Police Services Act (PSA) and regulations, this matter was a mandatory investigation for the IIU. IIU investigators were assigned to this investigation.

The civilian director designated two WPS officers as subject officers. Thirty-six WPS officers were interviewed as witness officers. IIU investigators also met with and interviewed the affected person (AP).

In addition, WPS file material and other information obtained by IIU investigators included:

  • incident history report (CAD)
  • Air 1 (WPS helicopter) video
  • video footage from McPhillips Street Station Casino
  • WPS radio transmissions
  • AP arrest report
  • notes and narrative reports of WPS officers
  • HSC medical release for AP
  • AP prisoner injury report
  • use of force report
  • GPS records for WPS vehicles
  • medical reports of AP

Based on the various witness accounts and other information obtained in this investigation, the civilian director is not satisfied there is any evidence available that would give rise to a finding that reasonable grounds exist to support criminal charges against any or all of the subject officers.