A Winkler police officer has been charged in connection to an assault incident that occurred in September of this year. The Independent Investigation Unit first advised it had launched an investigation into this matter on September 14, 2021.

On September 13, 2021, the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) received a notification from the RCMP regarding an allegation of assault that occurred on September 11 by an off-duty Winkler Police Service officer.

The civilian director is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence occurred and has authorized charges of assault cause bodily harm and utter threats under sections 267(b) and 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

On October 13, 2021, the officer was released on an undertaking and will appear in Provincial Court on December 7, 2021 in Minnedosa, Manitoba.

The IIU is asking for the individuals who assisted the injured male at a residence in Ditch Lake, Manitoba to contact the IIU toll free at 1-844-667-6060.