Manitoba’s police watchdog agency is investigating the use of a less-lethal round (foam) that caused an injury to a suspect.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) was notified of the incident the occurred on January 3, 2024.

Officers were called to the 200 block of Provencher Boulevard for the report of an agitated man attempting to drag a woman outside a building. When police arrived on the scene they found the male acting erratically.

When the male noticed police he grabbed a pencil, held it to his neck and threatened to harm himself. After attempts were made by officers to de-escalated the situation without success members of the Tactical Support Team fired a less-lethal foam round and deployed a taser in an effort to incapacitate the male. The male continued to act erratically after falling to the ground however officers were able to place him in handcuffs.

Paramedics were called to the scene and sedated the male. He was taken to hospital for an assessment. He also had suffered minor injuries.

The female who was being dragged was not physically injured.

The IIU has taken over the investigation.