Manitoba police watchdog investigating after detained man left with skull fracture

Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating an incident where a man suffered a skull fracture after being taken into custody by Winnipeg police.

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the man's injury. Police were called on Monday to the Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre following reports of a drunk man who had allegedly assaulted several individuals. Officers detained the man and transported him to the city's Protective Care Centre, a facility designed to hold individuals for up to 72 hours.

According to the IIU, during the process of handing the man over to the center's staff, he began to resist. The situation escalated when the man kicked an officer's leg, prompting the police officers to force him to the ground in an effort to regain control. The IIU stated that the man lost consciousness during this struggle.

Upon regaining consciousness, the man continued to resist officers as they transported him to the hospital. It was at the hospital that medical professionals discovered the skull fracture. The IIU is mandated to investigate all serious injuries that occur during interactions involving police, making this incident a subject of their mandatory review.