Police issue internal warning memo about former officer

A former Winnipeg Police Service officer arrested Monday was the subject of a WPS internal safety bulletin, warning staff of his "violent behaviour" and "displeasure for police."

Donald Macaulay, 56, has been charged with uttering threats to kill or harm three police officers and one count of resisting arrest.

Macaulay was released on bail Tuesday, following an appearance before a judicial justice of the peace. He is not allowed to possess any weapons as a condition of his release.

According to an internal safety bulletin distributed to police officers this week — obtained by the Free Press — Macaulay "has had recent involvement with police, during which he displayed erratic and violent behaviour and voiced his displeasure for police."

The bulletin warned officers to "use caution, as Macaulay is likely to display unpredictable behaviour."

It is not clear if the safety bulletin was issued before or after Macaulay's arrest Monday.

Police say officers responded to a well-being call at a Windsor Park home around 3:45 p.m., and were greeted by an "aggressive" male who was later shocked by a Taser before being taken into custody.

Macaulay was not injured.

Internal safety bulletins are a common communication tool for police and investigators, WPS spokesperson Const. Jay Murray said Wednesday.

"On any given day, there are many different internal communications that can go around, whether it's from other agencies detailing information that can help investigators — that is not an unusual situation for police to share information with each other that can help investigations," Murray said.

The safety bulletin was not made public because "there was no known threat to the public," Murray said in a follow-up email.

"If and when we identify and elevated risk to the public, it is carefully assessed and can be released on," Murray said, noting the recent public advisory issued prior to the arrest of a man accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl Aug. 8 on the Red River trail.

Jordan Bruyere, 29, was arrested Aug. 27, just days after police publicly released his name, picture and image in security video footage.

Bruyere has been charged with sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference. He remains in custody.

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