RCMP Watch

Alleged assault incident occurred last August in Summerland

A Summerland RCMP officer has been charged following a complaint about an arrest last summer.

Cpl. Andre Turcotte is facing two charges; one count of assault and one count of confining, imprisoning or forcibly seizing a person.

He will make his first court appearance on Aug. 20 in Penticton Provincial Court.

The incident occurred on Aug. 17, 2007 when a police officer responded to a complaint of a disturbance at a pub.

Patrons who had been asked to leave were in the parking lot with others who had gathered.

When one man was arrested for being drunk in a public place, the group disbanded.

Police say the officer later came across a man believed to be connected to the earlier incident.

An altercation ended in the man being arrested for causing a disturbance and drunk in public. Charges did not proceed.

Within a month, the man filed a complaint with the Commission for Complaints against Turcotte.

The man says the officer did not have grounds to arrest him, used inappropriate force and acted inappropriately.

The complaint was then reviewed and an Internal Code of Conduct investigation and Criminal Code investigation were launched.

The internal investigation is being handled by “E” Division Professional Standards and is continuing.

Police say Turcotte has been on administrative duties and his duty status is under review.

Cst. Annie Linteau of the “E” Division Strategic Communications says the internal review will continue after the trial is over.

Depending on the outcome, Turcotte could face penalties ranging from forfeiting pay to dismissal.