Senior Winnipeg police officer accused of drug trafficking, taking intimate picture of deceased person

lake winnipeg police ram feature arrested a senior fellow member of the force who had been criminally already charged last year but is now facing a slew of new allegations including drug trafficking and obtaining and distributing a photo of a deceased woman. 

Const. Elston Bostock, a 22-year member of the force, and two other police officers were charged in November. 

Officers continued investigating and obtained a search warrant to search electronic devices.

New evidence was obtained leading to new charges being laid against Bostock on Wednesday, police said in a news release Thursday. 

Another officer, Const. Vernon Strutinsky, a 15-year member of the force, was also arrested on Wednesday, police said. He's accused of breaking and entering to commit extortion and breach of trust while partnered with Bostock, police said. 

"These are very serious allegations which go directly against the values of the Winnipeg police service, tarnishing our reputation and eroding the public's confidence within our service," Winnipeg police Chief Gene Bowers told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

The charges stem from Bostock's alleged actions while both on and off-duty over a period of time stretching back to 2016 that was reviewed over a 16-month-long investigation, police said. 

Investigators reviewed the data extracted from a phone and believe Bostock conducted about 84 illicit drug transactions between January 2016 and Nov. 6, 2024, according to Insp. Cam Mackid. The drugs included cocaine, Oxycodone and amphetamine, police said. 

Cocaine and psilocybin were seized at his locker on East District Station, police said. 

Bostock is also suspected of interfering with the course of justice by attempting to get traffic tickets voided between Feb. 17, 2016 and Aug. 23, 2024. They allege he also accessed confidential police information on Nov. 2 last year and gave it to unauthorized people. 

He faces charges for stealing ammunition and giving it to a friend after he attended several firearm training days between Sept. 27, 2019 and Oct. 31, 2024.

Bostock has also been charged with causing indignity to human remains after he went to a home for a sudden death on May 21, 2021.

Police said they suspect the officer used his cellphone to take an intimate photo of a deceased female who was partially clothed and later distributed the image to another officer.

Bostock was held in custody upon his arrest Wednesday, police said. 

"These allegations are clearly not representative of the actions of our dedicated members," Bowers said. "We take this extremely seriously." 

Bowers said the police service is taking action to ensure accountability within the service, including adding three investigators to the professional standards unit to ensure allegations are investigated.

Bowers has also sent a letter to Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe asking for Manitoba's Police Services Act to establish a uniform code of conduct for officers. He has also asked Wiebe for the PSA to require the publication of disciplinary actions against officers who commit misconduct. 

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