This is a pretty remarkable press release from the IIU.
The IIU concedes Civilian Director Zane Tessler thought criminal charges were warranted against a WPS officer for perjury, and yet no charges will be laid. #wfp
Here's the release:
iiumanitoba.ca/pdf/bulletin20…
The IIU concedes Civilian Director Zane Tessler thought criminal charges were warranted against a WPS officer for perjury, and yet no charges will be laid. #wfp
Here's the release:
iiumanitoba.ca/pdf/bulletin20…
A couple things worth noting:
- Zane Tessler has the authority to lay criminal charges at his own discretion, despite not being a Crown. That's a power he has but has chosen not to use in this case.
- Zane Tessler has the authority to lay criminal charges at his own discretion, despite not being a Crown. That's a power he has but has chosen not to use in this case.
- As my colleague @thatkatiemay and I noted in a recent story: We found 18 cases where the IIU forwarded an investigative file to the Crown for review. In all 18 cases, the Crown instructed the IIU not to press charges.
This makes 19.
This makes 19.
Here's the IIU final report on this case for anyone who wants to read it:
iiumanitoba.ca/pdf/final_repo…
I'm still reading through the civil case file taking notes and will update when I can.
iiumanitoba.ca/pdf/final_repo…
I'm still reading through the civil case file taking notes and will update when I can.
So here's the background on this case from my colleague @deanatlarge
winnipegfreepress.com/local/wps-offi…
winnipegfreepress.com/local/wps-offi…
Highlights:
- A couple is staying at the Clarion Hotel on Dec. 26, 2014 with their two children and an adult family friend
- The judge ruled WPS officers unlawfully entered the hotel room, breached their charter rights, assaulted multiple people, and unlawfully arrested two
- A couple is staying at the Clarion Hotel on Dec. 26, 2014 with their two children and an adult family friend
- The judge ruled WPS officers unlawfully entered the hotel room, breached their charter rights, assaulted multiple people, and unlawfully arrested two
- Only one officer was named as a defendant in the case, Const. J. Macumber.
- The judge ruled Macumber pushed a woman without provocation and then repeatedly punched a second woman in the face, knocking her unconscious
- The judge ruled Macumber pushed a woman without provocation and then repeatedly punched a second woman in the face, knocking her unconscious
- The judge ruled Macumber seized cell phones and an ipad so video recordings couldn't be made of police activity
- The judge ruled the WPS officers misled the court and included false information on a WPS use-of-force report to backfill events and justify their actions
- The judge ruled the WPS officers misled the court and included false information on a WPS use-of-force report to backfill events and justify their actions
- The judge ruled the two arrested suspects were maliciously charged with assaulting a police officer in an effort to cover up the unlawful actions of the officers. Those charges were later stayed by the Crown.
- The judge ordered roughly $95,000 in damages, all of which taxpayers would be on the hook for, since the city covers legal costs for officers
- The city has appealed the ruling
You can read the judge's ruling here:
canlii.org/en/mb/mbqb/doc…
- The city has appealed the ruling
You can read the judge's ruling here:
canlii.org/en/mb/mbqb/doc…
