Manitoba’s police watchdog has concluded its investigation into the death of a man who died after being taken into RCMP custody near Madge Lake earlier this year.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has determined that it will not lay charges in the case, finding that no criminal activity occurred during the incident.
According to the IIU, on January 19 at around 7 p.m., Kamsack RCMP received a report of a missing adult male in the Madge Lake area. The report suggested the man was not dressed for the weather.
Officers from multiple RCMP detachments in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, along with conservation officers, were involved in the search. A remotely piloted aircraft system located the man in a bush area, approximately 200 to 300 metres from the officers.
RCMP members navigated rugged terrain to reach the man. The IIU says the man was searched and handcuffed for officer safety due to concerns he may have had a weapon.
While being carried out of the area, the man was breathing and had a pulse, but once at the police vehicle, he was reassessed and found to have no pulse. CPR was initiated and the man was transported to the hospital in Swan River, where he later died.
The IIU assumed responsibility for the investigation under Manitoba’s Police Services Act. Nine witness officers and three professional witnesses provided statements during the investigation.
In a release, the IIU stated the officers’ primary objective was to locate the man for his own safety and no evidence of criminal wrongdoing was found.
The investigation is now complete, and the matter is closed.
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