RCMP Officers Cleared

In July 2015, the RCMP advised the IIU that it had received a formal complaint from a woman who alleged she was physically assaulted and received injuries on May 16, 2015, while held in custody at the RCMP detachment in The Pas.

After reviewing the findings of IIU investigators, including interviews with numerous witnesses and RCMP video of the The Pas detachment cell block, civilian director Zane Tessler has determined that no officer used excessive or unnecessary force in any dealings with the complainant.

Winnipeg Police Officers Cleared

On November 23, 2015, at approximately 1:20 a.m., members of the Winnipeg Police Service were involved in a high-speed pursuit from Polo Park to downtown. Police pursued a Ford Explorer that was allegedly involved in two armed robberies earlier that morning. They estimated the vehicle was travelling at speeds up to 160 km/h.

Officers temporarily lost sight of the Explorer but located it less than a minute later, after it had crashed at Portage Avenue and Good Street.

The adult female driver of the vehicle was found outside the vehicle and taken to hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The sole other occupant – a male – fled on foot and was arrested nearby.

As this incident involved a fatality, the IIU assumed responsibility for the investigation, as required by The Police Services Act.

IU Civilian Director Zane Tessler received the investigative files, including eyewitness accounts of the chase and video surveillance from a number of businesses along Portage Avenue. He also received a pathologist’s report that noted the driver was intoxicated by cocaine and methamphetamine.

Tessler concluded that although all involved police vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit, the actions of the officers were justified and appropriate for the circumstances.