Two members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into serious misconduct by the Professional Standards Unit, under the direction of the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba.
Const. Elston Bostock, 48, a 22-year veteran of the force, was arrested on August 6 and is facing 17 criminal charges. The charges include indignity to human remains, knowingly distributing an intimate image, break and enter to commit an indictable offence, theft under $5,000, six counts of breach of trust, three counts of obstruction of justice, and several offences related to drug possession and trafficking.
Bostock was initially charged in November 2024 and released on an undertaking. Investigators later obtained a warrant to search his electronic devices. That search yielded new evidence, prompting additional charges and the re-laying of three earlier ones.
Police say the offences are related to Bostock's conduct both on and off duty over an extended period of time.
One of the most serious allegations stems from May 21, 2021, when Bostock was on duty and responded to a sudden death call at a private residence. While at the scene, he allegedly used his personal phone to take an intimate photo of the deceased person and later distributed the image to another individual.
Between September 2019 and October 2024, Bostock is accused of stealing ammunition from police firearm training sessions and giving it to a third party. Police also allege that, on numerous occasions between 2016 and 2024, he attempted to interfere with the justice system by trying to have traffic tickets voided.
In November 2024, Bostock allegedly accessed confidential police databases and shared the information with unauthorized individuals. A subsequent search of his phone revealed telecommunications data indicating that Bostock had conducted numerous illicit drug transactions between January 2016 and early November 2024. Cocaine and psilocybin were later seized from his home, according to police.
Bostock remains in custody.
Also arrested on August 6 was Const. Vernon Strutinsky, 44, a 15-year member of the service. He is charged with break and enter to commit an indictable offence and breach of trust.
Police allege that on March 16, 2023, while partnered with Bostock and on duty, Strutinsky entered a residence without authorization in an attempt to evict tenants. Notes were left at the home, threatening the tenants with arrest if they did not comply.
Strutinsky has been released on an undertaking.
The Professional Standards Unit continues to investigate, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.