The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the deployment of a “less lethal” firearm by Steinbach RCMP in response to a report of a parental child abduction.
RCMP notified the IIU on March 23, 2020, of an incident involving the discharge of a firearm. RCMP reported that around 10:45am that morning, Steinbach RCMP received a complaint of a parental child abduction. Officers located the suspects at a residence in Roseau River. In the process of an attempt to recover the children, officers were assaulted. In response, police used a “less lethal” firearm on two male suspects to subdue them, resulting in minor injuries.
As this matter involved the discharge of a firearm that resulted in injury, an IIU investigation was mandatory.
IIU investigators interviewed both affected parties, and reviewed information including:
- occurrence details summary report
- general and supplementary reports
- bail briefs
- officer notes
- photographs of the ERIW
- photographs of AP1 and AP2
- telecom dispatch record (confirmation there was no ERT radio chatter recordings)
- RCMP vehicle footage
- medical reports for AP1 and AP2.
The civilian director was not satisfied that reasonable grounds exist to charge the RCMP officer who discharged the firearm with any offence, and, accordingly, no charges will be authorized against him.
IIU has completed its investigation and this matter is now closed.
The affected persons remain before the court on charges arising out of this incident. The civilian director’s report on the IIU investigation will be made available following disposition of the charges.
