The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) concluded a police officer acted appropriately and there are no grounds to lay charges in a November 2016 arrest in Portage la Prairie resulting in a suspect suffering injuries from a bite by a police dog.

The RCMP telecommunications centre received a 911 call Nov. 16, 2016 from person who said he had been chased by three males and cut with a machete on 3rd Street NE in Portage la Prairie, the IIU explains in a release. Portage RCMP officers attended the area and located three suspects, and one fled. A police service dog and handler were called for assistance in locating the missing suspect.

“Police tracked the male suspect to a nearby yard, where he began to climb a fence,” the IIU report explains. “The police dog was released in order to prevent an escape, and the animal engaged and bit the male.”

The suspect was taken to hospital after the arrest with lacerations and punctures to his lower leg and thigh and required surgery to treat the injuries.

IIU Civilian Director Zane Tessler says the suspect was not prepared to surrender to police or comply with their direction to stop, and that the subject officer’s decision to deploy and engage the police service dog was entirely appropriate.

The IIU says it interviewed several civilian and police witnesses. Investigators confirmed that the subject officer’s use and handling of the dog was in keeping with RCMP policy, and that the subject officer and dog had recently completed and passed annual qualifications as mandated by the RCMP.

The IIU concluded its investigation of the incident May 15, 2017.