Two years after 22-year-old Evan Maud made up a story about being assaulted by police, he apologized.
“I’m sorry for jeopardizing the reputation of the Winnipeg Police Service. I want to say sorry to the Winnipeg Police Officers and for putting them in that situation,” said Maud, reading from a prepared statement.
In December 2010, Maud went to the media, claiming he had been picked up by police for no reason and driven to the outskirts of the city, where he said the officers took his jacket and forced him to run or they would taser him.
“When they’re making me run, they’re threatening me, threatening that they’ll taser me in the back,” said Maud to media in 2010.
So called “starlight tours”, rocked Saskatoon police in 1990, when young native men were driven out of town and left to die in freezing weather.
But Maud’s story quickly unraveled.
“I put my mom in a situation where she thought she didn’t raise me right,” said Maud, “I just made a mistake.”
Winnipeg Police accepted his apology, giving Maud a handshake and thanking him for making the public apology.
“I congratulate Evan on his bravery, to admit that,” said George Van Mackelbergh, with the Winnipeg Police Association, “to go through this process because I’m sure it can be very intimidating to a young man.”
In exchange, Maud’s mischief charge was dropped and police decided against filing a lawsuit against him.
“This would have been a far better process for Evan to go through than to subject him to the regular routine of the justice system,” said Bill Fogg, Acting Superintendent for uniform officers.
The Winnipeg Police Service says this lie affected its officers personal lives and now hopes Maud’s apology will reverse any damage.
“Their families look at them differently when an accusation is made people start to second guess and wonder are you really the person I thought I knew,” said Fogg.
Maud wouldn’t say why he made up the story, claiming he got scared when the story made national headlines.
Headlines he never plans to make again.
“I was taught that forgiveness is a part of healing,” said Maud, “I need this to move on in life in a positive way.”
After what Maud calls the worst years of his life, he’s now looking forward to becoming a certified welder.
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