Police use of force that fractured man's face was reasonable, Manitoba police watchdog says
Altercation happened in Manitoba First Nations Police Service Long Plain detachment a year ago
Police officers' response to an agitated man being held in a Long Plain cell was reasonable, even though their actions caused a facial fracture, the Manitoba Independent Investigation Unit says.
The Manitoba police watchdog has closed its investigation into in-custody use of force on Jan. 24, 2024, in Long Plain First Nation, about 100 kilometres west of Winnipeg, the unit said in a news release Wednesday.
The Independent Investigation Unit, which investigates serious incidents involving the police, was informed about the injury by the Manitoba First Nations Police Service on Jan. 29, 2024.
Officers had responded to a call for service in Long Plain First Nation on the afternoon of Jan. 24 regarding physical violence in the community, the police service told the IIU.
MFNPS took a man into custody and put him in a cell at the Long Plain detachment southwest of Portage la Prairie, where he became agitated and threatened self-harm, police said.
When officers entered the cell, a physical struggle ensued and force was used against the man.
The man later complained he was dizzy, and he was taken to Portage District General Hospital, where health-care providers found he had a facial fracture.
Investigators identified two officers as the subjects of the investigation, and interviewed the injured man and a civilian witness. They also reviewed the man's medical records and video footage.
The civilian director concluded police actions were reasonable and the case was closed.