WINNIPEG — Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating the death of a woman who was hit by officers driving near an encampment in Winnipeg.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba says it was notified officers were driving in the area of Fort Rouge Park on Monday evening when their vehicle struck the woman.
The woman, who was in her 30s, was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died.
Police say officers were returning another person to a homeless encampment along the river bank when the collision occurred.
They would not say whether the woman lived in the encampment or what she was doing before she was hit.
Acting police Chief Art Stannard offered his condolences to her family, friends and the larger community.
"I know this is a very heartbreaking, emotional, difficult time for the family. They are looking for answers. They want to know what happened," Stannard told a press conference Tuesday.
The officers are "devastated" and are on leave for a few days, said Stannard.
He added there's no policy around operating police vehicles within parks and that it's up to officers' discretion.
"(Encampments are) hard to get at. If there's a route or path that can get you to that location, they may use it," said Stannard.
He recognized the woman's death is a step back in officers' attempts to build trust with encampment residents.
The Independent Investigation Unit is asking for any witnesses or anyone with video footage to get in contact.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 3, 2024.
The Canadian Press
