Officer on video under investigation, taken off duty

A Kelowna RCMP officer has been taken off patrol after being involved in a violent arrest that was captured on video by bystanders.

The Mounties say a code-of-conduct investigation is underway into the officer’s actions and he has been reassigned to administrative duties.

The officer in charge of the Kelowna detachment, Supt. Brent Mundle, said earlier this week the videos of officers responding to reports of an intoxicated man “are shocking to many people,” but they don’t show everything.

Two officers were dealing with what the Mounties say was an uncooperative 30-year-old on May 30 on Bernard Avenue when videos show a third officer running over and repeatedly punching the restrained man in the head.

He was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and an investigation of an alleged impairment case continues.

“While investigators have received a copy of the initial video, we understand there are additional witnesses, and/or people in possession of videos which have not yet been turned over to police,” stated S/Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the BC RCMP. “Such evidence is instrumental in supporting both the on-going internal investigation, as well as the criminal investigation as it relates to the initial arrest.”

Anyone who was a witness, or is in possession of video evidence is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net

RCMP announced Thursday that Mundle had been transferred out of the detachment but said his departure had nothing to do with videos.