The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of an adult male, which occurred following his arrest by Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) officers.
On June 26, 2019, the WPS notified the IIU on an incident that occurred on that date, during which, WPS officers were dispatched to an address on Alfred Avenue, regarding a report that an unknown male had broken into a residence. Upon the arrival of the officers, the male fled through a window and was subsequently located across the lane at a Burrows Avenue address. The male was taken into custody and handcuffed. Shortly after, the male appeared to be in distress and an ambulance was called. The male was transported to St. Boniface Hospital and pronounced deceased at the hospital.
As the matter concerned the death of a person that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer(s), the IIU was mandated to investigate in accordance with section 66(4) of The Police Services Act. As the matter involved a death, the IIU asked the Manitoba Police Commission to appoint a civilian monitor.
During the investigation, IIU investigators interviewed two civilian witnesses and five witness officers. Investigators also reviewed:
- WPS officers’ notes and narrative reports
- WPS call history
- WPS forensic identification reports and photographs
- 911 call audio recordings
- WPS radio transmission recordings
- Air1 video
- Conductive Energy Weapon download report
- The affected male’s pathology and autopsy report
The pathology and autopsy report listed the cause of death as mixed drug intoxication, caused by a combination of cocaine, methamphetamine and ethanol.
The IIU investigation concluded that the WPS officers’ actions were restrained and justified, and in no way caused or contributed to the death of the affected male. Therefore, there is no further requirement to continue with the investigation, and the file is now closed.
The civilian director’s report is available online at iiumanitoba.ca. The details of the investigation were first announced on June 26, 2019.
There will also be an inquest into this death, as required under the Fatality Inquiries Act.
