A judge has sentenced a former Winnipeg police officer to seven years in prison for selling drugs to colleagues and distributing a photo of a partially clothed dead woman.
Court of King’s Bench Justice Kenneth Champagne had initially told lawyers Friday he was “inclined” to go higher in sentencing Elston Bostock. But the judge decided on seven years, after the defence and Crown agreed to the term.
“Today is a dark day for public confidence in the administration of justice,” Champagne said.
“For the last eight years of his employment, Bostock was involved in serious, sustained and intentional criminal activity.”
Bostock, 49, pleaded guilty last week to charges including breach of trust, attempting to obstruct justice, drug trafficking and offering an indignity to human remains.
The Crown had recommended the seven years, arguing Bostock undermined investigations, corrupted colleagues and caused reputational damage to the force that he was a part of for about 22 years.
Bostock’s defence lawyer had initially asked for a sentence of just over two years.
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Court heard Bostock was responding to a call when he took a photo of the woman of Indigenous ancestry, who had died from an overdose, and sent it to two other officers with comments that sexualized and degraded her.
“I’d like to deeply apologize to the family and the victim for the hurt and pain I have caused with my most regrettable action,” Bostock told his sentencing hearing.
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He said not a day has gone by in the months he’s been in custody that he hasn’t felt regret, “nor will there be a day that I don’t think of what I’ve done.”
Bostock was arrested in November 2024 along with two other officers. More charges were added last summer and a fourth officer was also arrested. Bostock was removed from the job late last year.
Court heard the service’s professional standards unit started a lengthy investigation after other officers came forward with concerns.
The internal probe included audits, analysis of GPS data, surveillance by RCMP and the searching of Bostock’s cellphone. There was also a staged event in which Bostock seized a backpack with narcotics, cash and cigarettes that belonged to an alleged criminal.
The Crown said Bostock also used his knowledge as an officer to get traffic tickets dismissed and to look up police information for friends.
And he sold drugs to friends and colleagues as part of a “social enterprise.”
Crown prosecutor Ari Millo said he was unable to find any precedent in Canada where a police officer was charged with offering an indignity to human remains. He said Bostock appears to “hold the unenviable distinction of being the only police officer to ever defile his badge in that way.”
Bostock’s lawyer, Richard Wolson, told court “there’s no question that the use of alcohol and drugs played an important role in Elston’s downfall.”
Winnipeg’s police chief Gene Bowers says the actions of Bostock have no place within their ranks.
“I understand this has shaken public confidence; the service doesn’t take this knowledge lightly,” said Bowers. “This case is a stain on our Service’s reputation; one that will serve as a reminder of our responsibility to uphold our values of integrity and accountability.”
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