Fewer complaints against Manitoba cops in 2012: report

WINNIPEG – Members of the public made 148 formal complaints against municipal police officers in 2012, down from 169 the year before.

The numbers are part of the annual report from the province’s Law Enforcement Review Agency, which was released Wednesday.

The vast majority of complaints were made against the province’s largest force, the Winnipeg Police Service: 134 complaints were filed, or 90 per cent of the total. That’s down from the year before, when there were 148 complaints against Winnipeg police officers.

The LERA does not investigate criminal matters. The 148 complaints made in 2012 included various allegations:

• breaches of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
• arrest without reasonable or probable grounds;
• unnecessary violence or excessive force;
• oppressive or abusive conduct or language;
• discourteous or uncivil behaviour;
• discrimination;
• making false statements;
• improperly disclosing information;
• damaging property or failing to report damage; and
• failing to provide assistance.

LERA’s annual report for 2012 says the majority of complaints — 94 — were resolved “at intake or following preliminary enquiries.” Others were settled through mediation, one was tossed out as frivolous and others “were abandoned by the complainant or closed as there was insufficient evidence to justify referral to a hearing.”