The officer who shot a man in Thompson on Oct. 25 is a “capable and caring” veteran of the force, Manitoba RCMP commanding officer Asst. Commissioner Jane MacLatchy said in a written statement Oct. 28.
“A number of public comments have called into question the competency and motivation of our member in Thompson who was involved in the shooting of a male on Oct. 25,” MacLatchy wrote. “I can tell you that the veteran officer involved is a capable and caring police officer who has spent his entire career working to keep the people of Manitoba safe.”
MacLatchy said a through investigation is the best course of action for the officer and the man who was shot, identified by his family during an Oct. 27 news conference as Little Ray, a member of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation at South Indian Lake.
“I urge everyone to allow the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba to carry out their important work. In these types of situations, we must let the investigative process take place. Above all, my primary concern is that the incident in question is investigated thoroughly and professionally. They both deserve a fair and impartial investigation where facts inform the way forward.”
