RCMP officers face probe over drunk-driving allegations

Two Manitoba Mounties are under investigation for allegedly driving after a night of drinking while off duty at a party with colleagues earlier this summer.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, which investigates all serious incidents involving police officers in the province, announced their investigation on Tuesday.

The two off-duty members were partying with several off-duty colleagues at the home of another off-duty officer on June 29 when the two took their personal vehicles for a drive, according to the IIU.

• Manitoba distracted drivers to face stiffest penalties in Canada
• Winnipeg police officer charged with drunk driving,RCMPsay

The allegations were first reported to the Manitoba East District on July 6, and an initial investigation was started.

Delay in telling investigators

RCMPD Division was informed Aug. 11, andnotified the investigation unit, which decided it is in the public's interest to launch a probe.

Investigators with the unit expect to conduct several interviews in the coming days, but their probe will be challenginggiven the delay betweenthe alleged incident and when the IIU was contacted, saidZane Tessler, executive director of the unit.

"The passage of time certainly doesn't help for sure," Tessler told CBC News on Tuesday.

Robert Taman,whose wifeCrystal waskilled in a 2005 crash involving an off-duty Winnipeg police officer, said he was disappointed to hear the allegations against the officers: "This shouldn't be happening anywhere, [but] especially within the police forces."

'Shouldn't be happening'

Taman,a former civilian member of the Manitoba Police Commission,who quit over concerns about police investigating themselves, said he's confident the officers will be investigated properly, but is skeptical they'll be punished if the allegations are proven.

The commission assigns civilian monitors to investigations conducted by the IIU when someone dies or is seriously injured in incidents involving police officers.

• Chief admitted cop in fatal crash was drunk, witness tells Taman Inquiry

The IIU has not identified the officers, but Tessler said the incident happened somewhere in the Whitemouth area.

The officers remain on active duty pending the outcome of the investigation, RCMP spokespersonTara Seel said.