RCMP review officer’s actions after arrest

The officer in charge of Kelowna RCMP says an internal review is underway into the actions of one officer during an arrest of an alleged impaired driver over the weekend.

“On May 30, just after 6:30 p.m., Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle with an alleged impaired driver in a parking lot in the 200-block of Bernard Avenue in Kelowna,” said medial relations officer Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy. “Front line officers attended the area and located a 30-year-old Kelowna man, intoxicated and inside the vehicle. The man was uncooperative with police and was arrested for allegedly obstructing a police officer.”

“During the arrest, the man actively resisted and allegedly turned assaultive toward the RCMP officers by pulling away, raising clenched fists, and refusing to cooperate with commands that were given to him,” added Noseworthy. “Officers then requested immediate backup and a third member responded to their request. The suspect was taken into custody after a brief struggle. He was medically assessed by BC Emergency Health Services and later transported to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.”

Supt. Brent Mundle, the officer in charge of the detachment, says the incident has been brought to their attention, with suggestions the of inappropriate action by one officer.