Formal complaint regarding Winnipeg arrest leads investigation by police watchdog

The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters is pictured in Winnipeg, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert

A formal complaint regarding a January arrest made by Winnipeg police has resulted in a new investigation by Manitoba’s police watchdog.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) announced Wednesday it would be investigating serious injuries that occurred when a man was arrested on Jan. 3 in Winnipeg.

According to the IIU, Winnipeg police were called to a disturbance at a bar in the 400 block of River Avenue involving an intoxicated man inside the bar who refused to leave after allegedly harassing patrons and making unwanted sexual advances towards women.

When police arrived, the man had left and was walking west through Osborne Village.

The man was later found at the intersection of Nassau Street North and River Avenue by police officers who said he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his speech. He allegedly did not listen to directions from police and officers told him he was being detained under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act.

“The male was resistant and combative with officers, resulting in a use-of-force encounter and he was taken into custody,” the IIU wrote in its release Wednesday.

Six months later, the IIU said the Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) received a formal complaint from the man, who alleged he was injured during the arrest. LERA requested medical records and found the man went to Concordia Hospital on Jan. 5 for assessment.

The medical records showed the man fractured a rib, bruising and swelling by his eyes, bruising on his wrists, lacerations on his head and body and had reported tingling in his fingers.

The IIU is investigating the incident, as it involved serious injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IIU at 1-844-667-6060.