28°c A few clouds
15°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Rumour about cops 'ridiculous and false'
A nasty rumour about the Winkler Police Service that has persisted for weeks has prompted officials to issue a statement in a bid to stop the controversy.
The rumour that began in the southwestern Manitoba community almost two months ago suggested a handful of officers had been suspended for failing drug tests.
"I first heard about it six weeks ago from a councillor: Four officers were suspended for failing drug tests," city manager Dave Burgess said.
By Monday afternoon, a tip emailed to the Free Press stated 16 of the community's 18 officers had been suspended for failing drug tests.
"We don't even have 18 officers," Burgess said. "It's just not true.
"We just laughed it off at first, but it's a story that seems to have gained more steam and more imagination than ever before."
Winkler Police Service Insp. Brad Kehler said he was annoyed by the rumour, adding no officers are under suspension.
"It's just absolutely ridiculous and false," Kehler said. "There's no one here under suspension or under investigation of any kind."
Burgess said he suspects the rumour was started by someone with a personal dislike for the city's police.
Burgess said the Winkler Police Service doesn't conduct random or regular drug tests of its members, adding that's a policy consistent with other police agencies.
The Winkler Police Service has 17 officers, including its chief. Burgess said the city is proud of its police force.
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the professionalism and service level from our police officers."
In an official statement issued late Monday afternoon, Burgess said, "I find I must address the complete fabrications that have perpetuated for weeks about our police officers...
"I want to stress that not one member of the Winkler Police Service has been suspended, fired, nor is under investigation for any type of wrongdoing.
"The origins and motives of these fabrications are suspected and not all that uncommon. It is, however, not healthy for public confidence to be affected due to efforts through social media."
Burgess said the statement was being issued in support of the police force and in hopes it would stop the rumour.
Statement issued by Winkler city manager Dave Burgess late Monday afternoon:
"I find I must address the complete fabrications that have perpetuated for weeks about our police officers.
"While responding to rumours is not my normal course of action, I find it important to speak up for our officers and their families. I want to stress that not one member of the Winkler Police Service has been suspended, fired, nor is under investigation for any type of wrongdoing. The origins and motives of these fabrications are suspected and not all that uncommon. It is, however, not healthy for public confidence to be affected due to efforts through social media.
"I have great confidence in the Winkler Police Service and appreciate the level of service they provide to the City of Winkler."
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 4, 2012 A2
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 42 articles for today)
Man drowns after crash on Manitoba reserve
1:18 PM 0A 29-year-old man drowned early Sunday morning on the Waywayseecappo First Nation after the car he was a passenger in ...
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Sobey clan to alter city market
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Teen on train tracks from York Landing
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Teens face charges after Transcona robbery
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- RCMP say woman deliberately murdered her sister with her car
- Toronto woman dead in rural Manitoba ATV wreck
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Man convicted of drunk driving in Henderson pile-up
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Two Winnipeg teens identified as victims of crash
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Father, daughter seriously injured in ATV crash
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Filipino singer Charice comes out as lesbian; Catholic official says she's in identity crisis
- Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits north, with temps topping 80 degrees (26C) in Anchorage
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Sobey clan to alter city market
- Accounts and accountability: UK committee says bankers must take more responsibility
- Youths charged in fatal shooting of chief's grandson, 5, on Alberta reserve
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Daycare-subsidy rules bad for business
- Only one workshop to be held on vacant land at The Forks
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Priest kept silent about accusations against Storheim, court hears
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- Geothermal heat coming to some Manitoba First Nations
- Spiralling cost of land raises new home prices
- Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits north, with temps topping 80 degrees (26C) in Anchorage
- Rogers and MTS announce new network sharing agreement
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Door openers being used to break into garages, police warn
- Province formally opens Mental Health Crisis Response Centre
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- New rules let customers cancel phone contracts without penalty after two years
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.