Three local Mounties are facing charges of assault with a weapon, stemming from an alleged incident in Parksville jail cells in June of 2013, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The case is being investigated by the Independent Investigation Office (IIO). A charge of assault with a weapon has been approved against Oceanside RCMP Const. Scott Kennedy Jones, Cpl. Michelle Rene Lebrun and Const. Mick Donald White, stemming from an incident that is alleged to have occurred June 10, 2013 in the detachment cells in Parksville.
According to a statement from the Criminal Justice Branch, the charge alleges Mounties used oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly known as pepper spray, in a manner that constitutes excessive force.
Though the complainant also sustained physical injuries while in the Oceanside detachment, the release states there is no substantial likelihood of a conviction for offenses that are specific to injuries, therefore the prosecution will be limited to assault with a weapon involving pepper spray.
Oceanside officer-in-charge Staff Sgt. Brian Hunter directed all inquiries from The NEWS to B.C.'s senior media relations officer Sgt. Rob Vermeulen, who confirmed all three Oceanside officers have been on active duty since the allegations came forward and remain on active duty. They are scheduled to appear in court March 17 in Nanaimo.
The Criminal Justice Branch also approved a charge of assault causing bodily harm against Nanaimo RCMP officer Const. Tim Bedard in relation to an alleged incident that occurred in Nanaimo cells June 15, 2014.