Police watchdog investigating after man injured during arrest

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has launched an investigation after a man complained he was injured by city police while being arrested early this year.

The Winnipeg Police Service notified the IIU about the allegations on Tuesday. They stem from a Jan. 3 incident in which officers arrested a man who was “unsteady on his feet and slurring his speech,” near the intersection of Nassau Street North and River Avenue, the police watchdog said in a news release.

Officers responded to the area after receiving a report about a disturbance at a bar on the 400 block of River Avenue. Police were told an intoxicated man was refusing to leave the establishment, and was alleged to be harassing people and making unwanted sexual advances toward women, the release said.

Police located the man around 12:45 a.m., shortly after he left the bar and told him he was being detained under the Intoxicated Persons Detention act.

“Attempts to communicate with him were unsuccessful because he was uncooperative and failed to comply with police directions,” the release said. “The male was resistant and combative with officers, resulting in a use-of-force encounter and he was taken into custody.”

The man filed a formal complaint to the Law Enforcement Review Agency on June 3. He provided medical records from Jan. 5, documenting a fracture to his rib, bruising and swelling to his eyes, head and body, and lacerations to his wrists. He also reported experiencing tingling in his fingers, the IIU said.

The police watchdog is mandated to review any police interactions that involve serious injuries. It is calling on witnesses who have information or video footage related to the incident to contact investigators at 1-844-667-6060.