The IIU, which is mandated to investigate all serious incidents involving police in Manitoba, started investigating an allegation against Const. Tessler said his unit's investigation found it was likely an offence occurred, which is why his office recommended the perjury charge against Macumber. "Perjury is a very serious charge… It strikes at the heart of the administration of justice," he said. Laying charge without Crown approval 'wasting time'As the IIU's civilian director, Tessler has jurisdiction to lay charges himself — he doesn't need approval from the Crown to do it. The one matter that we thought was clear-cut out of the investigation was the perjury [charge]," Tessler said.

Source: CBC News August 09, 2020 09:56 UTC