Winnipeg police won't be charged in 2009 arrest

Winnipeg police officers who were involved in the 2009 arrest of Cody Bousquet — who was allegedly beaten while he was arrested — will not face criminal charges, the RCMP announced today.

The RCMP, which was tasked with investigating the conduct of Winnipeg police officers in Bousquet's arrest, said on Thursday that an independent Crown counsel is not recommending any criminal charges in the case.

Bousquet was 18 years old when he was arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle incident in Winnipeg on Feb. 27, 2009.

Bousquet later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and assaulting a police officer.

At his sentencing hearing in January 2010, court saw surveillance video of Winnipeg police officers holding Bousquet down while others kicked, punched and kneed him.

He was also struck twice with a stun gun, according to Bousquet's lawyer, who said his client was unrecognizable because of his injuries.

The video was recorded after Bousquet led police on a chase in a stolen pickup truck, which ended in the parking lot of an automotive parts retailer on Isabel Street and Notre Dame Avenue.

The incident prompted the Winnipeg Police Service to ask the RCMP to investigate the officers' conduct.

The RCMP investigation included watching the video, reviewing Winnipeg police records, interviewing individuals involved, and obtaining the opinion of an out-of-province expert in the use of force.

The results of that investigation was given to Manitoba Justice, which asked an independent Crown counsel from Ontario to review the case, according to the RCMP.

No reasons were given as to why the counsel did not recommend any charges.