A Winnipeg police junior officer, implicated with a now-disgraced constable in a 2024 incident involving the theft of cash and other items believed to be evidence, has entered a guilty plea. Matthew Kadyniuk, 34, confessed to charges of breach of trust and theft under $5,000 in a Winnipeg court session held on a Friday morning. This occurred shortly after Elston Bostock, the co-accused who pleaded guilty to multiple offenses spanning several years, faced sentencing arguments in court.
The circumstances leading to the arrests unfolded as part of an internal probe into Bostock’s activities, initiated in April 2024 based on tips from confidential sources alleging his involvement with individuals outside the police department engaged in unlawful actions. Following approval in September 2024, authorities orchestrated a scenario to observe the officers’ response to what they believed was a vehicle break-in on October 17, 2024.
Kadyniuk, presently on suspension without pay from the Winnipeg Police Service, indicated his employment status is under review by the department. His defense lawyer mentioned the possibility of a sentence reduction or a suspended sentence during the court proceedings. Justice Kenneth Champagne emphasized the seriousness of the matter to Kadyniuk during the hearing.
In the staged incident leading to their apprehension, an undercover RCMP officer posed as a victim interacting with Kadyniuk and Bostock. The officers were recorded handling a backpack containing items taken during the staged incident, including cash and cigarettes. Subsequently, suspicions arose regarding the true nature of the scenario, prompting discussions between the officers.
Following their shift, the seized backpack was placed in Bostock’s locker, where certain items were found missing when investigators later examined it. Bostock and Kadyniuk were taken into custody in November 2024, with Bostock, a veteran officer of over two decades, subsequently being removed from the police force. Additional officers facing charges related to their involvement with Bostock are awaiting legal proceedings.
The case continues to unfold as the legal system navigates the implications of the officers’ actions and involvement in the integrity test incident.