Winnipeg police officer charged again

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Jeffrey Norman was the subject of an investigation by the Manitoba Independent Investigation Unit in 2019. (File photo )

Radio-Canada

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A Winnipeg police officer with an alleged history of misconduct faces a new lawsuit. The plaintiff accuses the latter of police brutality during an illegal arrest.

In a legal action filed at the Court of King's Bench on Wednesday, Leo Lafreniere alleges that Jeffrey Norman used a stun gun on him and unlawfully arrested him on October 1, 2022.

That day, Leo Lafreniere was riding his electric bicycle when police officer Jason Chymyshyn stopped him and asked him to show his driver's license and vehicle registration.

According to court documents, Jeffrey Norman arrived at the scene a short time later in another vehicle.

Leo Lafreniere asked the two officers why he was arrested and why he had to present this information.

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Martin St-Louis must be absent for family reasons

ELSE ON INFO: Martin St-Louis must be absent for family reasons family reasonsLoadingMartin St-Louis must be absent for family reasons

Martin St-Louis must be absent for family reasons

ELSE ON INFO: Martin St-Louis must be absent absent for family reasons

He alleges that Jason Chymyshyn told him it was a simple traffic stop and when he refused again, the two officers told him they were going to place him under arrest for obstruction.

The police then pushed him to the ground and Jeffrey Norman used an electric gun on him several times.

None of these allegations have been proven in court to date and no defense brief has been filed to date.

According to the prosecution, Jeffrey Norman also placed his knee on Leo Lafreniere's groin.

The plaintiff did not make any threats or use any physical force at any time, we can read in the Court document.

Leo Lafreniere alleges that police searched his backpack upon his arrest and seized $500, an amount that was never refunded to him.

He faced one charge of resisting arrest and four traffic violations. All of these offenses were suspended by the Crown, according to the prosecution.

Leo Lafreniere claims that he was illegally arrested and taken into police custody by force for unfounded reasons and that he had the right not to comply with the police officers' requests.

He adds that following his arrest, he suffered injuries such as scars caused by the electric gun and that he suffers from back pain, psychological fear of the police and stress disorder post-traumatic.

Leo Lafreniere also alleges that his rights guaranteed by the Charter and claims general, punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages for an amount which will be determined by the Court.

Jeffrey Norman is named in three other lawsuits accusing him of police brutality. He was the subject of an investigation by the Manitoba Independent Investigation Unit in 2019.

With information from Kristin Annable