Three Winnipeg police officers – two veterans and one newbie – have been charged with breach of trust and other offenses following an investigation by the Professional Standards Unit.

The Winnipeg Police Service says officers Elston Bostock, 47, Jonathan Kiazyk, 46, and Matthew Kadyniuk, 32, have all been placed on paid administrative leave.

Their employment status will be reviewed by Winnipeg’s police chief once the investigation by Manitoba’s police watchdog, the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU), is complete.

“The arrest of three of our members is of deep concern to me, as well as to the Winnipeg Police Service as a whole,” Deputy Chief Gene Bowers said at a news conference Thursday. “As a police department, we take misconduct and violations of the law by our members very seriously.

“I want to make it clear that the Winnipeg Police Service does not and will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Winnipeg police say the investigation is focusing on Bostock’s alleged actions while on and off duty over a period of more than two years. In some cases, Bostock allegedly acted alone, while in others he collaborated with Kadyniuk and Kiazyk.

Between October 22, 2022 and November 2, 2024, police allege Bostock “engaged in acts involving the disclosure of confidential information, obstruction of justice, obstruction of police investigations and theft of property “.

Around October 22, 2022, it is alleged that Bostock and Kiazyk illegally entered a home on Stradbrook Avenue while police were “guarding a scene” during an investigation. Winnipeg police could not provide details on what type of crime scene this was.

On October 17, 2024, Bostock and Kadyniuk allegedly stole cash worth less than $5,000 while on duty.

The WPS says it became aware of the breach of trust allegations in early 2024. On May 7, Winnipeg police notified the IIU, which then requested assistance from the WPS Professional Standards Unit to conduct the investigation.

“We are a great organization and we really strive for excellence within our organization,” Bowers told reporters. “Unfortunately, sometimes members act inappropriately or break the law. So in those cases, we have systems that bring those things to our attention.

“We believe in transparency and accountability, and when these things happen, we will hold people within the police department accountable. No one is above the law and we take that very seriously.

The Professional Standards Unit’s investigation involved consultations with representatives of the IIU and Manitoba Justice.

The three police officers were charged on Wednesday.

Bostock, a 21-year member of the department, was charged with four counts of breach of trust, unlawful entry of a residence, obstructing a police officer, two counts of obstructing justice and theft under $5,000.

Kiazyk, an 18-year member of the department, was charged with breach of trust, obstructing a police officer and unlawful entry of a residence.

Kadyniuk, a two-year member of the department, was charged with breach of trust and theft under $5,000.