(CBC News) – An Iqaluit RCMP officer could face fines or dismissal from the police force, after he was sentenced Thursday to probation for attacking two men who were in custody last year.
Const. Kipanik Eegeesiak had pleaded guilty last month to two counts of common assault related to the May 16, 2009, attack at the Iqaluit RCMP detachment. Police have said h e was on duty at the time of the incident.
Appearing before the Nunavut Court of Justice on Thursday, Eegeesiak was handed a suspended sentence for each assault, meaning he will not spend any time in jail. Eegeesiak also received a total of one year of probation.
The court has heard that Eegeesiak assaulted the men, and he had to be told repeatedly to stop. The men had previously threatened members of Eegeesiak’s family, the court was told.
In sentencing, Justice Ron Veale called Eegeesiak an accomplished man with an exemplary RCMP career. However, the judge added that Eegeesiak violated his position of trust as an officer.
Must face RCMP board
Eegeesiak is currently suspended with pay from the police force, but RCMP officials say that could change once they have fully reviewed Thursday’s court proceedings.
Eegeesiak must next appear before an RCMP adjudication board hearing, where three senior police officials will be brought to Iqaluit to decide what penalties he should face.
“It could be a reprimand, it could be up to and including 10 days of loss of pay,” Nunavut RCMP Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock told reporters Thursday afternoon.
McVarnock said the board may also order Eegeesiak to be demoted or dismissed from the RCMP. The board can also decide on a combination of penalties, he added.
No date has been set for the adjudication board hearing.
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