A senior Winnipeg police officer has been charged with drug trafficking and a raft of other offences after a 16 month investigation that police say exposed serious misconduct on and off duty. Constable Elston Bostock, a 22-year member of the force, was arrested on August 7, 2025.
Police allege Bostock trafficked multiple controlled substances, shared a photo of a partially clothed deceased woman, leaked confidential police information, stole ammunition during firearms training, and tried to have traffic tickets voided. He is also charged with committing indignity to human remains, distributing an intimate image, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and breaking and entering to commit extortion.
Bostock was first charged in November 2024. Investigators say new evidence led to his re-arrest and additional charges this week. The investigation began after officers raised concerns about breaches of trust. Searches of Bostock’s phone, home, and police locker followed, and police say those searches revealed further illegal activity. He is being held in custody.
A second officer, Constable Vernon Strutinsky, is charged with breaking and entering to commit extortion and breach of trust. Police allege he helped unlawfully evict tenants while in uniform and driving a marked cruiser. Strutinsky was released on bail.
Winnipeg Police Chief Gene Bowers called the case grave and said the allegations cut to the core of public trust in the service. He said the force will cooperate fully with the courts and emphasized that officers are expected to uphold the law at all times.
Both officers have been suspended from duty while the cases proceed. None of the charges has been proven in court. Police say they will not comment further to avoid jeopardizing the prosecutions.
