Margaret Speirs (Terrace Standard) – A local RCMP officer charged with assaulting a woman in the cell block will not have a criminal record.
Const. Robert Hull was handed a conditional discharge with one year probation by Judge Agnes Krantz in provincial court Sept. 7.
“Just I’m very sorry it happened. I wish it hadn’t. Believe me, the stuff I’ve been through since has weighed very heavily on me and caused stress in my relationship. Being off work was difficult. I felt like I had no purpose. Since I’ve been back, I’ve made changes and am trying to make sure it never ever happens again,” said Hull when asked by Krantz if he had anything to say before sentencing.
On Oct. 17, 2010, an intoxicated woman at a local pub assaulted the bar manager and police were called, said prosecutor Ronald Toews in reviewing the circumstances.
She fell down the stairs, was put in a police vehicle and taken to the detachment where she was loud and argumentative, court heard.
Along with Const. Hull were two other officers, Const. Chad King and Const. Kendra Felkar, who also had custody of the woman, court heard.
Hull and the woman had words, which King regarded as unprofessional and that Hull was egging her on, court heard.
As she was escorted into the cell, she kicked Hull in the groin, said Toews.
“[She] was taken into the cell and while under the control of another officer, Hull came in and punched her in the head,” said Toews, adding the woman was bleeding.
“While provoked, nevertheless in no way was it an act of self defence.”
Toews played a police cell videotape that showed the punch and provided photos taken afterward showing the woman with a bloody nose and damaged lip.
When interviewed, King and Felkar said that Hull had said something about not wanting to appear to be a wimp, said Toews.
Defence lawyer Albert King said Hull had no prior criminal record.
“He’s done everything right in his life up until this moment,” he said, referring to the punch.
Hull had graduated from RCMP training in February 2009 and was on a work probationary period for six months before becoming a full member in late 2009, so at the time of the assault, he was a very inexperienced officer, said King.
“He is remorseful and went through an RCMP disciplinary hearing and was disciplined,” he said, explaining that Hull was held back and not considered for any promotion for six months, which cost him $5,000.
Hull isn’t an overzealous, rude officer who pushes someone down the stairs or to the ground, said King.
He provided several letters of reference about Hull and said all of them indicated that this behaviour was out of character for Hull.
Hull will also have to write a letter of apology to the woman who was punched and complete 100 hours of community work service.
[Source]
Dont forget ceaser that the media are fixated on the RCMP. My daughter lived in a house with a couple of firemen and an EMT for roommates until she could no longer stand the debauchery and misconduct. Going to work stoned and or partially intoxicated, abetted by workmates, driving while impaired, drug use and the lot by these guys.
You only see the police most times when there is trouble, yours or someone elses. The only time you see firemen or even EMTs is when they help those in personal strife.
Although it happens, the police do not regularly pull you from a burning building. If the media spent the same amount of time looking for misconduct in any organization, they could find it. In any part of society there are those who would take advantage, engage in misconduct, or generally let their coworkers down as well as the the public.
EMTs do not even closely do policework nor respond to anywhere near the complaints and calls for service that the police do. EMTs and indeed firemen wait for the police even if there is a hint of something untoward or violent going on. To compare the two is illogical and disingenuous.
Contrary to Calvins assertion that the man should be fired, is there no compelling reason that he should not receive a second chance to prove he has learned a valuable lesson? The system in place believes he does. The system is also us, just like the police, the firemen, the courts, and any organization made up of members of society.
If history is any teacher, the accused in the this scenario in the first place, the woman who kicked the member in the groin will no doubt be the recipient of a l cash reward courtesy of the DOJ and her lawyer who will no doubt take 20%. What lessons will she take from this incident? Does anybody care?
I agree GB and I do hope we will not ever hear that police officer acted in such a disgraceful way. I often think on EMS workers in the field doing basicly the same job, being on the front lines, but never being in the news for acting unprofessional like we have been reading about here and a cross Canada. I hope someone someday will realize that people need help sometimes.
It’s not personal.
I think that the measure of the puishment is whether or not a particular activity has been rectified. Forunately the member answers to the present law than those whodesire pure retribution. If there is no such activity in the future then the authorities acted correctly.
I agree with CL on this one.
How bad can it get when you punch a woman in the face.
If you ask a bank robber after he is caught if he’s sorry he sure will be. Whoever this constable is it’s sure clear that someone is favoring him.
Once again you put the feelings and sympathy of the offending police officer before the victim. The same court’s punishment should apply to her where applicable. The difference is that she did not take an oath. He did.
Hull was egging her on, court heard.
Quote from Article.
Oath goes here!
The RCMP has a track record of rewarding members who have abused other members by bullying tactics. Why would the public expect any difference.
If abusive behaviour towards women is allowed to take place inside a police organization; that same abusive behaviour will take place against (Women)citizens on the street.
During my career I was told I was pushy, a trouble maker, that I rocked the boat, and now smug.
But I was never told that I was wrong.
Hey Calvin, good thing our legal systems are not as smug as you. People make mistakes and errors in judgment.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Confucius
Based on the information in this article he should have a criminal record and terminated from the RCMP!. A women was punched in the face by someone who took an oath to act and speak for justice and correctness in policing. The rest is just conversation.
“The RCMP, the crown (SIC) and the citizens of Canada apparently feel he should keep his job. ” Calvin Lawrence
The Crown on behalf of Her Majesty, on behalf of the citizens, had no participation in the decision to not seek dismissal. The RCMP organization felt the incident warranted its adjudication. Just as the Judge in the case who heard all the testimony and evidence, with his judicial discretion, reached a decision in line with case law .
“But what is the message to other police officers when the court lets him off with a slap on the wrist?” Calvin Lawrence
Indeed, to the various personalities of the human beings that comprise the RCMP organization, there may be a variety of attitudes. The unassailable overarching message is that an unauthorized action led to internal and criminal proceedings. Both, regardless of personal views of “slap on the wrist” or not, come with a personal and professional price.
Your perception is your reality as you often recite, so in your world what would have been a suitable criminal and administrative punishment disregarding present established administrative and criminal case law?
Hull had graduated from RCMP training in February 2009 and was on a work probationary period for six months before becoming a full member in late 2009, so at the time of the assault, he was a very inexperienced officer, said King.
Article Quote.
What did Cst. Hull learn at Depot?
Why didn’t he learn to let the arrested person have the last word because the police officer has the last action in the way of an arrest if needed?
an intoxicated woman
Article Quote:
Why didn’t Cst. Hull learn at Depot that sometimes a police officer has to think for other people; especially if they are angry, frightened or intoxicated? Why didn’t he learn that you can only use as much force as necessary to make an arrest as laid out in the RCMP Incident Management Intervention Model?
When interviewed, King and Felkar said that Hull had said something about not wanting to appear to be a wimp, said Toews.
and that Hull was egging her on, court heard.
Article Quote.
Why didn’t Cst. Hull learn at Depot that the police officer should strive to save professional face and let the arrested person save personal face?
Cst. Hull either disregarded his training or was not trained properly.
Why didn’t King and Falker intervene? It would have saved them the embarrassing situation of testifying against another member.
If Cst. Hull was concerned about being seen as a wimp then; what do you think he is being seen as now? Does he not know that “only the hard can afford the luxury of appearing soft”?
I am neither for or against Cst. Hull.
But what is the message to other police officers when the court lets him off with a slap on the wrist? The RCMP, the crown and the citizens of Canada apparently feel he should keep his job.
Then so be it.