The Manitoba Law Courts building in Winnipeg on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
A former Winnipeg police officer has been sentenced to seven years in prison for selling drugs to colleagues and distributing a photo of a partially clothed deceased woman.
Court of King’s Bench Justice Kenneth Champagne handed down the sentence to 49-year-old Elston Bostock on Friday, saying the case represents “a dark day for public confidence in the administration of justice.”
“For the last eight years of his employment, Bostock was involved in serious, sustained and intentional criminal activity,” Champagne said.
Bostock pleaded guilty last week to multiple charges, including breach of trust, drug trafficking, attempting to obstruct justice and offering an indignity to human remains. The Crown and defence jointly recommended the seven-year sentence, although the judge said he had initially considered a longer term.
Court heard Bostock took a photo of an Indigenous woman who had died from an overdose while he was responding to a call, then sent the image to two other officers with sexualized and degrading comments. The Crown said the conduct severely damaged public trust and the reputation of the Winnipeg Police Service.
Bostock apologized in court, saying he deeply regretted his actions and the harm caused to the victim’s family. He told the court he thinks about his actions every day.
The investigation began after concerns were raised by other officers and was led by the service’s professional standards unit. It included surveillance, GPS analysis, phone searches and a staged drug seizure. Police also found Bostock used his position to have traffic tickets dismissed, accessed police databases for friends and sold drugs to colleagues and acquaintances.
Bostock was arrested in November 2024 along with two other officers. Additional charges were laid last summer, and a fourth officer was later arrested. He was dismissed from the Winnipeg Police Service late last year after about 22 years on the force.
“His actions have no place within our ranks,” WPS Chief Gene Bowers said in a statement following the sentencing.
“I understand this has shaken public confidence; the service doesn’t take this knowledge lightly. At a media conference last August, I outlined the steps that have been initiated to restore accountability within the ranks of the Service and rebuild public confidence. In March, I will provide an update of these actions at a public meeting of the Winnipeg Police Board. I will be prepared to answer questions about our ongoing efforts when that meeting has concluded.
“I want residents of Winnipeg to know that the overwhelming majority of members of the WPS serve with pride and professionalism, with the understanding that the actions of Elston Bostock are unacceptable. This case is a stain on our service’s reputation; one that will serve as a reminder of our responsibility to uphold our values of integrity and accountability.”
— With files from The Canadian Press
