Police watchdog investigating skull fracture suffered during Winnipeg arrest

According to the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, Winnipeg police were called to Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre around 3 p.m. on Monday following reports of an intoxicated man who had allegedly assaulted several people. Police said paramedics arrived first but did not approach the man because they believed he could become aggressive.

Officers detained the man and took him to the province’s detox centre on Disraeli Freeway. IIU said the man became physically resistant during the transfer to staff, allegedly kicking an officer before police forced him to the ground. He briefly lost consciousness and was treated by on-duty paramedics before being taken to hospital.

While at Health Sciences Centre, the man continued to resist officers, the IIU said, and was sedated and restrained by hospital staff. Medical staff later determined he had suffered a small skull fracture.

IIU has taken over the investigation and is asking anyone with information or video footage to contact investigators.