Regina police officer charged with assault

A corporal with the Regina Police Service has been charged after allegedly using excessive force while making an arrest last year.

Cpl. Colin Magee, 44, who has been with the police service for 15 years, has been charged with common assault after an investigation by the Public Complaints Commission into an incident in December 2016.  

We're willing to make an apology, if we make a mistake.- Evan Bray, Regina Police Service chief

The police officer was on duty at the time of the incident.

It happened on the 1100 block of Lindsay Street the night of Dec. 7, 2016, as part of an investigation into a possible theft. Magee is alleged to have assaulted a 25-year-old man while arresting him.

During the incident, the man was arrested for obstruction of justice but not charged for that, or in relation to the theft that was being investigated at the time, said police chief Evan Bray during a press conference Thursday morning.

A week later, the police service received notice from the Ministry of Justice that an investigation was underway into the alleged excessive use of force by the officer.

Press conference takes strange turn

A man who would only give the name "James," and claimed to be the victim of the alleged assault, was present at the press conference. He occasionally interrupted the chief, making comments and asking questions.

Bray claimed to have never met the man.

"I'm proud of this police service. I'm proud of the men and women that work here. We want to do the right thing," said Bray, addressing the man.

"Every once in awhile, something happens that we have to take a step back and look at. We're willing to make an apology, if we make a mistake."

After Bray reiterated that the man would be kept abreast of the investigative process by the Public Complaints Commission, the man spoke out.

"I really respect what you guys do within the city. You have some great men and women on your force," said "James."

"I forgive Cpl. Magee, but when I was slammed to the ground and he said to me — when I called out for a supervisor — 'I am the supervisor,' that is what got me."

The man claims he sustained injuries as a result of the incident, including marks on his face, a bump on his hip and a sore knee. He said following the incident, he went to the hospital.

1 assault charge in 2016

The Regina Police Service makes roughly 10,000 arrests each year, Bray said, noting that force was used 174 times in 2016. The incident involving Magee marks the only charge of assault brought against an officer in that time.

"We're only as good as the public thinks we are," he said.

"It's times when we hear that the force used wasn't justified that we find ourselves in front of the camera talking about it."

Magee reassigned

Magee has never been charged with any prior offences, said Bray.

He has been reassigned to administrative duties, pending the outcome of the criminal process and an internal investigation under the Police Act.

"The decision was made, in this case, that suspension wasn't the best answer," Bray said.

"In this case there's a lot of work we can get Cpl. Magee to do that isn't out dealing with the public."

Magee will make his first court appearance on the charge in provincial court in August.