Steinbach MLA and Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen, announced the appointment of Roxanne Gagné to the role of civilian director of the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) effective July 1, 2023.
“A civilian-led investigation unit is a cornerstone of the Police Services Act and the IIU plays an important part in reinforcing the confidence of Manitobans in our police services,” said Goertzen. “Roxanne Gagné is an experienced and respected leader who has dedicated her career to the law, and with close to three decades of work in the justice system, she has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve her well as she leads the IIU moving forward.”
Gagné has more than 25 years of experience working in Canada‘s criminal justice system, holding the position of Crown counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for nine years in Winnipeg and Montreal before being seconded to the Department of Justice Canada, where she provided legal advice and written opinions to clients from Indigenous and Northern Relations Canada and Indigenous Services Canada, as well as direction on the implementation of policies and programs such as the inherent right policy and the reconciliation of Indigenous rights and self-determination.
The civilian director is accountable for the administration and operation of the IIU, which has the statutory responsibility to oversee investigations of police officers, under the Police Services Act. The responsibilities include mandatory investigations of incidents where civilians suffer serious injuries or death as a result of contact with police and other offences and incidents prescribed by regulation.
The lieutenant-governor appoints the civilian director to a five-year term, which may be extended for a second five-year term. The minister thanked outgoing civilian director Zane Tessler, who served in the role since 2013.
The IIU investigates all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on or off duty.
