Civilian police watchdog clears city officer who fired ‘less-lethal’ shot

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This article was published 13/10/2022 (1144 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has cleared a Winnipeg Police Service officer of wrongdoing after he shot a less-lethal round of ammunition at a woman armed with a knife in a Main Street business in March.

The civilian oversight agency began its investigation into the incident March 22. It is mandated by provincial legislation to investigate all serious incidents involving on- or off-duty police officers in Manitoba.

That day, city police told the IIU in a written notification that officers were called about a woman armed with a knife on a Winnipeg Transit bus at 6:06 p.m.

The woman got off the bus and entered a Main Street business, the IIU said.

According to the watchdog, police tried to disarm the woman, but she wouldn’t drop the knife.

Officers then used pepper spray and a Taser electroshock weapon on her, before one officer shot her with what police describe as a less-lethal round.

She was then arrested and taken to Health Sciences Centre with minor injuries.

The IIU has not said what less-lethal firearm was used, but the Winnipeg Police Service has past carried shotguns modified to shoot beanbag rounds.

IIU investigators examined police notes, call history and transmissions, use-of-force reports, the woman’s medical report, the firearm used, training and policy documents and surveillance footage.

The investigators also interviewed a witness. The woman who was shot declined to be interviewed.

The agency’s director, Zane Tessler, was not satisfied there were reasonable grounds to charge the officer who fired the round with an offence.

Court proceedings for the woman have not yet finished. The agency will release its full investigative report on the incident once the proceedings are complete.

— Staff