Manitoba police watchdog recommends no charges after man's eye socket broken during arrest

CBC

14-05-2025

Manitoba's police watchdog is not authorizing charges after a man was taken to hospital in Thompson with a broken orbital bone, or eye socket, following his arrest last year.
The Independent Investigation Unit said in a news release Tuesday RCMP officers entered a residence on Ashbury Place in the northern Manitoba city at around 12:30 p.m. on May 9, 2024, to arrest a man wanted on an outstanding warrant.
The officers found the man in a bathroom, where he then assaulted one of the officers, according to the IIU's release. A "use-of-force encounter" ensued as the man was being taken into custody, the investigative unit said.
He was taken to Thompson General Hospital, where it was determined he had a broken orbital bone.
RCMP notified the IIU, which is mandated to investigate all serious incidents involving police in the province, about the incident on May 10, 2024. The unit began an investigation which included interviewing the man who was injured, according to the IIU's release. It does not indicate whether any officers were interviewed.
"Following due consideration of all the circumstances, the civilian director will not be authorizing charges," the IIU release said, indicating the unit considers the matter closed.
The police watchdog's full report on the incident won't be made available until charges laid against the man in connection with the incident are handled, as the matter remains before the courts.