Victoria constable suspended for 2 days for kicking man
Const. Christopher Bowser must also undergo anger counselling and use of force training
A Victoria police constable has received sanctions in a case that received wide attention after video of an arrest surfaced on YouTube.
Last month, a B.C. police complaints commission hearing ruled Const. Christopher Bowser used excessive force when he kicked and kneed a man outside of a Victoria nightclub in March 2010.
Now, following the commission's disciplinary hearing, Bowser is being suspended for two days without pay. The adjudicator also ordered Bowser to undergo six hours of training in use of force with an emphasis on de-escalation training and must participate in counselling to address any potential anger management issues.
The Victoria Police Department says it is reviewing details of the decision to see if any changes need to be made in the force.
Other police forces in B.C. have had officers investigated by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner after arrests were filmed and shared.
In January 2011, a freelance photographer captured footage of a violent arrest in Kelowna, where an RCMP officer kicked a 51-year-old man in the face.
The mountie involved in the incident, Const. Geoff Mantler, was suspended with pay pending the outcome of internal and criminal investigations. Mantler was later charged with assault causing bodily harm, and his lawyer entered a guilty plea in court in December.
In March, footage of a Vancouver police officer allegedly punching a detained man in the head was filmed by a friend of the man, and posted to Facebook.
The OPCC determined the incident warranted an investigation, and one is currently underway.