Harry Bakema, a former East St. Paul police chief, has been charged with perjury, criminal breach of trust and obstruction of justice, said RCMP.
Officers released details of the charges against Bakema, a key figure in the Taman inquiry, on Wednesday.
In February 2005, Bakema responded to the scene of a crash where a truck driven by off-duty Winnipeg Const. Derek Harvey-Zenk had plowed into a car driven by Crystal Taman, killing her.
Harvey-Zenk was charged with multiple offences, including impaired driving causing death and refusing a breathalyzer requested by another East St. Paul officer.
Because of a lack of evidence, most charges were eventually dropped and under a plea bargain deal, Harvey-Zenk was ultimately sentenced to two years' house arrest on a charge of dangerous driving causing death.
The plea deal upset Taman's family, who pushed for an inquiry into the case, which was eventually held in 2008.
Bakema testified at the inquiry and defended his handling of the investigation into the fatal crash.
"I think I did the best I could do (with) what I had there and with my abilities at the time,'' said Bakema.
Bakema testified he did not suspect Harvey-Zenk had been drinking before the crash, contrary to some evidence presented at the inquiry.
"I couldn't detect any scent on him," Bakema testified.
In an inquiry report, however, Commissioner Roger Salhany stated Bakema's actions at the scene of the crash played a key role in the botched investigation, stating that Bakema falsified his notes, prompting a junior officer to do the same.
Bakema's lawyer disagreed and said his client did not make any intentional errors in the investigation.
"They were not done deliberately, or to assist Harvey-Zenk," said Hymie Weinstein, Bakema's lawyer.
Following the inquiry, in September 2008, Manitoba Justice ordered an investigation into the actions of the East St. Paul police service's handling of the Taman case, which led to the charges against Bakema.
The province also disbanded the East St. Paul police service and replaced it with an RCMP detachment.
Crystal Taman's family is happy her case has not been forgotten.
"The only thing I said in the past is that what we're hoping for is accountability and that's taking place now," said Robert Taman, Crystal's husband.
- with a report from CTV's Jeremy Hunka
- with files from The Canadian Press
