The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the circumstances surrounding a fatal motor vehicle collision following an attempted traffic stop by Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) officers.
On April 9, 2022, WPS notified the IIU of an incident that occurred that day at approximately 9 p.m., when a WPS officer attempted to stop a vehicle on Selkirk Avenue and McKenzie Street. According to the notification, the male suspect’s vehicle failed to stop and he subsequently lost control of the vehicle, which then hit a curb and collided with a post. A short time later, police arrived on the scene. The driver sustained serious injuries in the collision and was transported to Health Sciences Centre where he was pronounced deceased.
As this matter concerned the death of a person that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer(s), IIU assumed responsibility for this mandatory investigation in accordance with section 65(4) of The Police Services Act (PSA). Further, in accordance with section 70(1) of the PSA, the IIU was required to seek the appointment of a civilian monitor, as this matter involved the death of a person. IIU requested the Manitoba Police Commission to appoint a civilian monitor.
WPS file information and other material, obtained by IIU investigators included:
- WPS radio transmissions;
- WPS call history and computer aided dispatch (CAD) report;
- WPS Forensic Identification Services (FIS) reports and photographs;
- GPS records related to the WPS cruiser involved in the attempted traffic stop;
- statements (video recordings and written) of various civilian witnesses;
- notes and narrative reports from various witness officers;
- traffic analyst collision report;
- video footage taken from various locations; and
- toxicology analysis respecting the affected person.
Due to the dearth of information at the outset of the investigation as to whether any actions by any WPS officer contributed to the collision, it was decided that no subject officer designation would be made, pending receipt of more facts and evidence. The WPS officer who was attempting to conduct a traffic stop of the suspect vehicle was designated as a witness officer, and IIU investigators met with and interviewed seven civilian witnesses.
The civilian director found no evidence to support a finding that any actions of the WPS officer contributed to the cause of the collision and resulting death. Accordingly, there is no evidence in this matter that would justify the designation of the WPS officer as a subject officer. As a result, there is no further requirement or need by the IIU to continue with this investigation.
