Winkler police officer charged with assault, uttering threats

A police officer from southern Manitoba is charged with assault and uttering threats in connection with an incident that sent a man to hospital last month.

The Winkler Police Service officer was off-duty at the time of the incident, which happened at Ditch Lake, just south ofRiding Mountain National Park, onSept.11, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said in a news release.

RCMP officers from the Wasagaming detachment were called toa home and found an injured man who was taken to hospital in Minnedosa for treatment, according to the IIU, which did not say anything further about the severity of the injuries.

The IIU was notified about the incident on Sept. 13 anddetermined it wasin the public interest to launch an investigation because it involved an officer.

The agency is tasked with looking into all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on or off duty.

Satisfied there were reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence occurred, IIUcivilian directorZane Tessler authorized thecharges. The officer was arrested and released Oct. 13 under conditions toappear in court on Dec. 7.

Winkler Police Service Chief Ryan Hunt said the officer,who has been with the service for 3 years,is currently on administrative leave andworking in an office, not on active duty in the community.

Hunt would not comment on any of the allegationsas the matter is now before the courtsand the investigation is still ongoing.

The IIU said in its news release that it would not provide any addition information for the same reason.

Itdid, however, saythere were individuals who assisted the injured man at the time, andaskedthem to contact the agency toll free at 1-844-667-6060.