An RCMP officer who was being investigated by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) for firing his sidearm into the tire of a fleeing suspect vehicle won’t face charges.
On March 2, 2020, RCMP were pursuing a vehicle after receiving a report that the driver was a distraught male with a firearm. Officers located the vehicle and were able to stop it on the Perimeter Highway near Pipeline Road. As officers approached the driver attempted to drive away. One officer then fired a shot into the tire of the vehicle causing it to stop.
No injuries were reported during the incident but the IIU decided it was in the public interest to investigate it.
Investigators reviewed officer notes, audio and video recordings, RCMP policies and the subject officer’s training records along with reports regarding the investigation go the incident by RCMP.
The IIU then, upon completion of their investigation, forwarded their file to Manitoba Prosecution Services (MSP) for their opinion which said:
“Manitoba Prosecution Service (MPS) has reviewed the IIU investigation of [SO]. While it is always in the public interest to hold police officers accountable, there must also be a reasonable likelihood of conviction for MPS to prosecute a matter. In this case, after considering all of the evidence we have concluded that there was a justifiable use of force by [SO]. Consequently, there should be no basis to lay any charge against him.“
The investigation is now over.
