Winnipeg senior police officers implicated in a string of disturbing charges

Winnipeg police have re-arrested a senior officer and charged another in connection with disturbing offenses, such as drug trafficking and distributing an "intimate photo" taken with a deceased woman.

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Winnipeg police have re-arrested one senior officer and charged another in connection with disturbing offenses, including drug trafficking and distributing an "intimate photo" taken with a deceased woman.

Prior to Thursday's announcement, Const. Elston Bostock—a 22-year member of the force—had already been charged in November, along with two other officers, for various offences including breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and theft.

At the time, Bostock and Const. Matthew Kadynuik, 33, a two-year member of the service, were arrested. Kadynuik was charged with theft and breach of trust.

Const. Jonathan Kiazyk, 46, an 18-year member, was charged with breach of trust, obstruction and unlawful dwelling.

Bostock, 48, was then re-arrested on Wednesday, and now faces a staggering 18 charges in connection with a string of highly disturbing incidents according to the Winnipeg police during a Thursday morning media scrum.

New details released by police paint a grim picture of a potential serial criminal posing as a senior officer. The charges remain untested in court.

During a press conference, Winnipeg police announced they obtained multiple search warrants, uncovering a "plethora of new evidence." This included cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, oxycodone, tramadol, illicit cannabis, and 42 grams of psilocybin. Specifically, cocaine and psilocybin were seized from Bostock’s police locker at the East District station.

This new evidence led to a range of new criminal charges against Bostock, bringing the total to 18. These include one charge each of indignity to human remains and knowingly distributing an intimate image, along with multiple charges related to breaking and entering, extortion, theft, obstruction of justice, and breach of trust.

Investigators believe Bostock conducted "about 84 illicit drug transactions" over roughly eight years, between January 2016 and November 6, 2024, both "on and off duty."

In addition to the drug transactions, Bostock is accused of stealing ammunition from firearm training events, attempting to void his traffic tickets, conducting a forced eviction of residents off-duty while in uniform, engaging in extortion, and both stealing and leaking confidential police information.

Perhaps most disturbing, Bostock is accused of taking an "intimate photo" of a partially dressed deceased woman with his cell phone and distributing it electronically.

Winnipeg police chief Gene Bowers informed the media Thursday that officers spoke with the victim's family two days prior to their announcement. "We went and met with the family member two days ago and we wanted to apologize for the actions that took place and express our dismay at what occurred," Bowers said.

Another senior Winnipeg officer, police constable Vernon Strutinsky, faces charges alongside Bostock. Police say Strutinsky, 44, was partnered with Bostock when they entered a residence without authorization to evict tenants, allegedly threatening them with arrest if they didn’t comply.

Strutinsky, also a veteran officer with 15 years of experience, was released on bail, while Bostock remains in custody. When asked by reporters, Bowers declined to comment on whether either officer is being paid while on leave.