Police watchdog clears Winnipeg officers accused of assaulting man in custody

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has cleared two officers of wrongdoing after a man accused them of assaulting and stealing money from him while he was in police custody.

Winnipeg police arrested the man on Oct. 4, 2016, in connection with a number of offences, the IIU said. He filed a complaint two weeks later alleging an officer bent and broke his hand while in custody. He also claimed police went into his apartment and stole money.

The IIU investigates all serious incidents involving police, including when someone is seriously injured, and took over the investigation last fall.

IIU investigators reviewed video footage of the man at Winnipeg police headquarters and at the Winnipeg Remand Centre. They also spoke with man making the allegations,the surgeon who inspected his hand as well as a woman who told investigators she saw the man punch a wall and hurt his hands before police arrested him.

ZaneTessler, civilian director of the IIU, said in his report the man was intoxicated at the time of the arrest, casting doubt on his description of what happened. Tesslersaid there weren't adequate grounds to press charges of assault or theft against officers.

The man is still in court facing charges in connection with his October arrest. The full report from the IIU is expected to be released once court proceedings are completed.

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