Watchdog investigates after woman arrested by Winnipeg police later found with spinal cord, facial injuries

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Peggy

Manitoba’s police watchdog says it’s investigating after a woman arrested twice by Winnipeg police in the last week was later found to have a spinal cord injury and facial fractures.

Winnipeg police told the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba — which investigates all serious matters involving police in the province — that officers were called to the Des Meurons Street and Goulet Street area after an intoxicated woman was reportedly lying on the ground screaming on Saturday around 10:30 p.m., the IIU said in a news release Tuesday.

Officers saw the woman had a number of injuries on her face and called for help from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, police told the IIU, adding that she assaulted members of the fire paramedic service while they were medically assessing her.

The woman was detained for intoxication and sent to Main Street Project, where she assaulted officers and a use of force encounter took place, police told the IIU.

A second use of force encounter happened after the woman was arrested and taken to police headquarters, as she had tried to bite an officer, police told the watchdog agency. She was later released from custody on a notice to appear.

No details were provided by the IIU on what force police used.

The woman was arrested again Monday night around 10:15 p.m., after she had been in a physical and verbal dispute with a homeowner at a residence in the Alpine Place area, according to police.

Officers took the woman to the Health Sciences Centre, where a doctor found she had a pre-existing injury to her spine and a number of fractures to her face, police said.

The watchdog agency’s civilian director has decided that an investigation into the incidents are in the public’s interest, the news release says.

Anyone with information or video footage that could help the investigation is asked to call the IIU toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.