The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has charged a member of the Selkirk RCMP Traffic Services Unit with assault with a weapon following an investigation. The incident occurred in 2018 and involved the alleged assault of a 27-year-old male during an arrest.
The IIU issued its initial news release on October 30, 2018, advising that it had launched an investigation into an allegation of an officer striking a male with a pylon while the male was in police custody. The male was uninjured but the IIU civilian director determined it was in the public interest for the agency to investigate.
The IIU has conducted a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of this incident. IIU Civilian Director Zane Tessler is satisfied there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe a criminal offence occurred and accordingly has authorized the charge to be laid.
On April 23, 2019, RCMP Constable Paul Lacoursiere of the Selkirk Traffic Services Unit met with IIU investigators and was notified of the charge. He was issued a summons and will appear in Provincial Court on June 14, 2019, in Selkirk, Manitoba.
As this matter is now before the courts, the IIU will not make any further comment on its investigation.
