Investigation into Swan River RCMP Completed

IIU Media Release |


The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) has completed its investigation into an arrest in Swan River that resulted in a serious injury, and has concluded that officers acted appropriately.

On December 1, 2015, three members of the RCMP Swan River detachment attended the residence of a male who had phoned the Brandon Centre for Adult Psychiatry and threatened violence against others. The officers attempted to make an arrest under The Mental Health Act but the individual refused to go with officers for a mental health assessment.

While officers struggled to handcuff the man, he attempted to grab one of the officer’s service firearm. Officers used force to restrain and control the man and eventually he was subdued and taken to the Swan River detachment, where he complained of feeling unwell. He was taken to the local hospital and diagnosed with an intra abdominal bleed from blunt trauma, bruising to his right eye and some abrasions. He was then transferred by ambulance to Dauphin Hospital and diagnosed with a liver laceration injury.

As this incident involved a serious injury to an individual, the IIU assumed responsibility for the investigation, as required by The Police Services Act.

Following a thorough investigation, IIU Civilian Director Zane Tessler determined the arresting officers had sufficient grounds to make an arrest under The Mental Health Act and that the force they employed was necessary to minimize harm to the individual and themselves while carrying out the arrest. He concluded there are no grounds to justify any charges against any of the officers.

As a result of the incident, the individual was charged with two offences under the Criminal Code and one offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. As such, the IIU will not comment further on this matter. The complete report of the civilian director will be posted online once the charges are dealt with in Court.