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Former RCMP Officer Charged After Alleged Theft During Traffic Stop

  • staysafevancouver
  • Oct 5
  • 2 min read
Comic book–style image representing the story of a former RCMP officer charged with theft and breach of trust, featuring a symbolic police car and courthouse under a spotlight to illustrate law enforcement and justice.

A former Manitoba RCMP officer has been charged with theft and breach of trust after a driver reported that about $300 went missing during a traffic stop in Portage la Prairie. The officer, identified as Constable Ben Harder, resigned from the force earlier this year while under investigation.


According to the RCMP, the alleged incident occurred on November 19, 2024, and was reported eight days later. The complaint prompted an internal investigation monitored by Manitoba’s Independent Investigation Unit.


Former RCMP Officer Charged After Alleged Theft During Traffic Stop


Investigators say the allegation stems from a November 19 traffic stop in Portage la Prairie, where about $300 was reported missing from a driver’s vehicle. The Manitoba RCMP West District launched an investigation after receiving the complaint on November 27.


RCMP Investigation & Oversight Review


The investigation included interviews with the complainant and several officers involved. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba confirmed it monitored and later reviewed the RCMP’s findings to ensure the process met oversight standards.


Charges & Court Process


Harder resigned from the RCMP in January 2025 while the investigation was still underway. Ontario Provincial Police in Norfolk County served him with a summons on October 2, 2025. He is scheduled to appear in Portage la Prairie Provincial Court on October 21. The RCMP said Harder remains presumed innocent while the matter is before the court.


Oversight and Public Trust


The case has drawn attention because it involves an officer accused of theft during a routine stop, an encounter most drivers expect to be straightforward. The Independent Investigation Unit said its monitoring role helps ensure transparency when police are accused of criminal misconduct. The outcome of the case may shape how future complaints against law enforcement are reviewed in Manitoba and other jurisdictions.

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