Officers who had contact with Fontaine before her death won’t face charges

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This article was published 23/03/2015 (3523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Police Service has made public a decision by the Crown in December not to lay charges in the investigation into the murder of Tina Fontaine, whose body was found wrapped in a bag in the Red River in August 2014.

One police officer who had contact with Fontaine shortly before her murder has been suspended without pay, the Winnipeg Police Service said this afternoon. A second officer who had contact with Fontaine remains on administrative leave.

“The internal investigation was completed and forwarded to Manitoba Justice Prosecutions to consider criminal charges and charges under The Child and Family Services Act. The Winnipeg Police Service was informed in December that the Crown would not proceed with charges under either The Criminal Code or The Child and Family Services Act,” police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said Tuesday.

On Canada Day, 15-year-old Tina Fontaine left Sagkeeng First Nation to visit her estranged biological mother in Winnipeg. She was reported missing one month later.  Her body, wrapped in plastic, was recovered on the banks of the Red River on Aug. 17.

In September, police Chief Devon Clunis acknowledged that two officers had stopped a vehicle in which Tina was a passenger on August 8. She was allowed to go, despite being listed as an at-risk youth who was a missing person.

 

The Winnipeg Police homicide unit has been actively investigating Fontaine’s killing, Michalyshen said today. “This investigation is on-going. Numerous people have been interviewed, and a number of forensic tests have been conducted.

“During the course of the investigation, homicide investigators discovered that Tina Fontaine was reported as a missing person on July 31,” Michalyshen said. “Investigators also discovered that two members of the Winnipeg Police Service had contact with Ms. Fontaine on Aug. 8, approximately 24 hours before her disappearance.”

Chief Devon Clunis was informed Sept. 3, and immediately directed the force’s professional standards unit to commence an investigation. The officers were removed from active duty in October and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation.

The Winnipeg Police Service has now commenced disciplinary proceedings against the members involved under the Winnipeg Police Service Regulations.

“The Winnipeg Police Service Regulations allow for the suspension of a member pending the disposition of internal discipline. Given the serious nature of this matter one of the officers has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the discipline process, while the other remains on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the discipline process,” Michalyshen said.

“At this time, no further details will be provided as it is inappropriate to provide details of the regulatory investigation.”