A Winnipeg police vehicle is photographed at a scene in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
Two Winnipeg police officers have been charged following an extensive misconduct investigation under the direction of Manitoba’s Independent Investigation Unit.
Constable Elston Bostock, 48, a 22-year veteran of the force, was arrested on Wednesday and now faces multiple new charges after first being arrested in November 2024.
Police say Bostock allegedly took and shared an intimate photo of a deceased person while on duty in 2021, stole ammunition from training sessions, tampered with traffic tickets, and accessed and shared confidential police data. Investigators also seized drugs from his residence and discovered evidence of years of illicit activity through his phone. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Bostock is facing numerous charges, including indignity to human remains and distributing an intimate image. He remains in custody.
Constable Vernon Strutinsky, 44, a 15-year member of the service, was also arrested and charged with break and enter to commit extortion, and breach of trust.
Strutinsky is accused of unlawfully entering a home with Bostock in 2023 to forcibly evict tenants while on duty, leaving threatening notes.
He has been released on an undertaking.
The investigation remains ongoing.
“The charges laid against members of the Winnipeg Police Service are serious and concerning,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a statement.
Police play a critical role in our community, and public confidence in the service is essential. I support Chief (Gene) Bowers and the WPS as they work to maintain that trust, and I commend them for the action taken today to address this matter with transparency.”
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