Two Winnipeg Police officers face charges, but are yet to have those charges formally laid.
One of the officers faces the serious charge of Attempted murder, while both officers face charges that they may have fabricate evidence in relation to an investigation from just shy of two years ago.
The charges stem from an incident that happened at around 2:45 a.m. on July 16, 2007.
Two uniformed officers working in the downtown area became aware of an ongoing call for service regarding a robbery in the 1700 block of Portage Avenue.
The officers became involved in a vehicle pursuit, attempting to apprehend an individual they believed was a potential suspect.
This male was later identified as Kristofer Shawn Fournier.
The officer's cruiser and the car they were chasing collided and officers chased a suspect on foot.
That chase ended in the area of Grant Avenue and Lindsay Street.
During the incident police say one of the officers discharged his firearm striking Mr. Fournier in the lower body.
He was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The subsequent investigation concluded that Mr. Fournier was not involved in the robbery.
As a result of the firearm discharge, a lengthy investigation was conducted by the Winnipeg Police Service.
The completed investigation was forwarded to Manitoba Justice, who called in an external Crown Attorney to review the investigative report.
Manitoba Justice has since reviewed the report and directed that the following charges be laid:
Six year veteran of the service Darrel Keith Selley, 35 years, is charged with:
- Aiding and Abetting Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Fabricating Evidence
- Attempt Murder
- Discharging a Firearm with Intent to Wound
- Aggravated Assault with a Weapon
- Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm
- Careless Use of a Weapon
Six-year member Kristopher John Overwater, 29 years, is charged with:
- Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Fabricating Evidence
- Aiding and Abetting Discharge of a Firearm with Intent to Wound
- Aiding and Abetting Aggravated Assault with a Weapon
The officers have been arrested and on the instructions of the Crown, will be released on a Promise to Appear.
Formal charges were laid on April 3, 2009.
Their first appearance will be June 1, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.
The Winnipeg Police Service says the members have been removed from the workplace and placed on administrative leave.
The police chief says he will be making a decision on their status, in the near future.
"These are serious allegations. I am not able to comment further, as the matter is now before the courts. A judge will review the evidence and I do not want to do or say anything that could compromise the judicial process. The evidence has been provided to the Crown and I am confident that all of the facts surrounding the incident will become known to the public during the court process," said Chief Keith McCaskill.
"These are profoundly troubling allegations, and I recognize the impact that allegations like these can have on public confidence. I want to emphasize that the Winnipeg Police Service accepts its obligation to thoroughly investigate any allegation of member misconduct. I believe that this incident should provide the public with the reassurance that the Police Service is committed to thoroughly investigating any allegations against our officers," adds the chief.
McCaskill says these allegations impact all the members of the Winnipeg Police Service, but says he is confident that the majority of our members do the right thing in service to the public.
