Sudbury Police Cst. Chris Labreche to stay on active duty

Morning North6:12Sudbury police brutality case going to court

A Sudbury police officer is now facing assault charges. The charges stem from alleged police brutality against Tanner Currie after his head was shoved through a glass window. Tanner Currie joined us in studio to about the case.A Sudbury police constable is staying on active duty as he faces an assault charge.

Christopher Labreche is accused of using excessive force against Tanner Currie last year. The constable wasn't able to defend himself at Monday’s private hearing, which was held only for the complainant.

But there was enough evidence presented by a Sudbury man to convince a justice of the peace to lay an assault charge against Labreche.

Videos show Labreche throwing the then 20-year-old Tanner Currie face-first into a police station window, smashing the glass.

Video footage capturing the incident was released to the public last month.

Currie said he's pursuing the charges because police shouldn't be held above the law.

"No random citizen off the street is allowed to put your head through a window and get away with it,” he said.

“You know, these guys are doing what they want and it's just not right."

Sudbury police cleared Labreche of any wrongdoing in an internal investigation last year.

Now that charges are proceeding, Labreche could be suspended from the service. But police say there aren't any grounds to do so at this time.

The news doesn't sit well for Currie's mom, Tina, who's determined to see justice.

"I want this police officer to be convicted, punished and face the consequences for his actions."

Currie said he believes the videos are enough evidence to prosecute Labreche.

“It clearly shows me not using any physical restraint against the officer. You know, I'm not doing anything. I'm not resisting. And it just shows that he had no right to throw me into the window.”

The parties will appear in court on March 11. Labreche isn’t required to appear in court at that time, as his lawyer can represent him.