Manitoba RCMP say a former officer with the Portage la Prairie detachment has been charged with breach of trust and theft following an investigation into a public complaint.

The complaint was filed on November 27, 2024, and alleged that roughly $300 was taken from a vehicle by an RCMP officer during a traffic stop in Portage la Prairie on November 19. The Manitoba RCMP West District led the investigation.

Resignation during investigation

Several witnesses, including other RCMP officers and the complainant, were interviewed. During the course of the investigation, Constable Ben Harder, the officer at the centre of the allegation, resigned from the RCMP in January 2025.

Charges laid

All evidence was forwarded to Crown counsel for review. On October 2, 2025, Harder was served with a summons by Norfolk County Ontario Provincial Police.

He is being charged with breach of trust and theft under $5,000.

Court date set

Harder is scheduled to appear in Portage la Prairie court on October 21, 2025. The Independent Investigation Unit monitored the RCMP investigation and reviewed the findings once it was completed.