Manitoba’s police watchdog agency the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has cleared Winnipeg Police Service officers in connection to an in-custody death in July 2019.

According to the IIU, an adult male was seen bleeding from the head while apparently armed. Police chased the male and took him into custody. The officers also seized a hatchet during the arrest.

Officers called paramedics since the suspect was bleeding from his head. The male became unresponsive soon afterwards and officers administered first aid until the paramedics arrived.

The male was taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

Because the male was in custody at the time of his death the IIU was mandated to investigate the incident.

A report from the medical examiner showed that the male had meth and cocaine in his system and an enlarged heart. The findings of the autopsy determined that no actions by the officers had any casual connection to the death.

The IIU concluded the officer(s) actions were reasonable and justified.

© News4.ca 2020