No charges against Winnipeg police officers who broke man’s arm during arrest
Posted August 5, 2020 4:39 pm.
MANITOBA (CITYNEWS) – Two Winnipeg police officers will not face charges after breaking a man’s arm during an arrest last year, following an investigation by Manitoba’s police watchdog.
The province’s Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) concluded the officers’ actions were “reasonable and necessary” during the Oct. 29, 2019 arrest.
In the findings released Wednesday, the IIU said the two officers approached the man because he was “acting suspiciously” in a rear lane of William Avenue near Juba Street.
When the officers determined the man had three outstanding warrants, they tried to arrest him but he became “uncooperative and combative.” The officers responded by wrestling him to the ground in order to restrain him.
IIU concludes investigation into injuries sustained by a male during arrest by WPS officers – Final Report available https://t.co/J8rgsrgaXa pic.twitter.com/cerpTT5UTg
— IIU Manitoba (@IIUManitoba) August 5, 2020
“Due to his apparent intoxication and violent behaviour, the male was transported to the Provincial Remand Centre (PRC),” reads the IIU report. “While being admitted to the PRC, the male informed staff that his left arm might be broken.
“Officers then transported the male to the Health Sciences Centre, where medical staff confirmed a broken left arm.”
An investigation was mandatory because a broken arm is considered a “serious injury” under IIU regulations.
During their investigation, the IIU spoke to the man whose arm was broken and the doctor who treated him. Investigators also reviewed several documents, including the medical report, the officer’s notes and the use of force report.
