The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the circumstances surrounding a serious injury sustained by an adult male during an interaction with Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) officers in October of 2019.
On Oct. 20, 2019, the WPS reported an incident to the IIU that had occurred on Oct. 19, 2019, at approximately 9:31pm. According to the notification, WPS officers observed the affected person, who had several outstanding warrants, and approached him. The male fled, did not comply with officers’ directions and sprayed the officers with bear spray on three separate occasions during the ensuing foot pursuit. WPS officers used force in order to affect the arrest of the affected person. He was later transported to Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg for treatment of a fractured skull and lacerations.
As this matter concerned a serious injury as defined under the IIU regulations, the IIU assumed responsibility for this mandatory investigation in accordance with Section 65(4) of the Police Services Act (PSA) and investigators were assigned.
The civilian director designated two WPS officers as subject officers and six WPS officers as witness officers. Investigators also met with and interviewed three professional witnesses.
The civilian director found no reasonable grounds to support any charges against the subject officers. Accordingly, the matter is now closed.
