The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into a man’s death in police presence. The details of the investigation were first announced on May 16, 2022.
On May 14, 2022, the IIU was notified by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) of a domestic dispute that occurred earlier that day involving a male armed with a knife. While officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, the male suffered a self-inflicted wound. A Taser was deployed in an attempt to subdue him. He was transported to Health Sciences Centre by EMS, where he was later pronounced deceased.
As this matter concerned the death of a person that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer(s), the IIU assumed responsibility for this mandatory investigation in accordance with the Police Services Act. Investigators were assigned and reviewed information including:
- call history;
- 911 telephone call history and audio;
- audio of WPS radio transmissions;
- WPS officers’ notes and narratives;
- Forensic Identification Service reports;
- photographs of scene and exhibits;
- conductive energy weapon download reports; and
- pathology and toxicology reports concerning the affected person.
The civilian director designated three WPS officers as witness officers, and IIU investigators met with and interviewed civilian witnesses. IIU investigators also consulted with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to obtain medical opinions relative to this matter.
The civilian director found no evidence to support a finding that any police officer contributed to the cause of the affected person’s death at any level, either by action or inaction.
Therefore, there are no grounds to justify the designation of any police officer as a subject officer and no further requirement or need by the IIU to continue investigating the matter.
