The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba has officially concluded its investigation into an incident that involved an off-duty Winnipeg Police Service officer in May of this year.
On May 23, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) and RCMP notified the IIU of an incident that had occurred on May 21. According to the notification, at approximately 8:10pm, the RCMP detachment in Whitemouth received two calls for service regarding a vehicle being driven erratically. Shortly after, an RCMP officer patrolling Provincial Trunk Highway 44 saw a silver pickup truck, which matched the suspect vehicle description, cross the middle line. The officer activated the vehicle’s emergency lights and conducted a roadside stop. The RCMP officer noted damage to the driver’s vehicle. During the encounter, the driver identified himself as an off-duty WPS officer. The RCMP officer made a mandatory alcohol screening demand and the driver’s breath sample returned a fail reading. The driver declined to provide a second sample. The driver was issued a penalty and driving prohibition in accordance with the immediate roadside prohibitions regime.
The investigation was completed prior to the IIU being notified of the matter but the civilian director deemed it was in the public interest to assume jurisdiction of the matter in accordance with Sec. 75(1) of the Police Services Act. The civilian director forwarded the investigative file to be reviewed by the Manitoba Prosecution Service for a Crown opinion as to whether criminal charges should be laid in this case.
Following due consideration of all the circumstances including the Crown’s opinion that charges are not warranted in this case, the civilian director is not recommending charges against the officer. The IIU investigation is complete and the matter is now closed.
