Three Winnipeg Police Service officers have been charged after a probe by professional standards investigators into breach of trust.
Deputy chief Gene Bowers and Supt. Cam Mackid called a news conference Thursday afternoon to announce the investigation and charges.
The three general-patrol officers are accused of breach of trust.
“The arrest of three of our members is deeply concerning,” said Bowers. “We are all concerned by these allegations.”
Const. Elston Bostock, a 47-year-old who’s been a Winnipeg police officer for 21 years, is accused of wrongdoing on and off duty over an extended period of time.
He’s accused of disclosing confidential information, obstructing justice, obstructing police investigations and theft between Oct. 22, 2022 and Nov. 2, 2024.
In some cases, police allege, Bostock acted alone, while in others, he was partnered with the two other officers who’ve been charged.
He’s been charged with four counts of breach of trust, two counts of obstructing justice and one count each of being unlawfully in a dwelling house, obstructing a police officer and theft under $5,000.
Const. Matthew Kadyniuk, a 32-year-old who’s been an officer for two years, has been charged with one count each of theft under $5,000 and breach of trust.
Const. Jonathan Kiazyk, a 46-year-old who’s been an officer for 18 years, has been charged with breach of trust, obstructing a police officer and being unlawfully in a dwelling house.
On Oct. 17, 2022, Kadyniuk and Bostock are alleged to have stolen money while on duty, constituting a breach of trust, police said.
On Oct. 22, 2022, police allege Kiazyk and Bostock unlawfully entered a house on the 300 block of Stradbrook Street during a police investigation, obstructing officers and breaching trust.
The three were charged Wednesday and released on undertakings.
The men have been placed on administrative leave and their jobs will be reviewed by the police chief at the end of the investigation.
Police professional standards investigators notified the Independent Investigation Unit that it was probing the allegations in May this year. The oversight agency took over the investigation, but Winnipeg police standards officers assisted, police said.
The standards investigators conducted a “lengthy internal investigation” while consulting with IIU and provincial justice officials, police said.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca