Just one day after a Surrey teenager was killed by an RCMP cruiser, we learn that the Abbotsford Police are recommending a charge of assault causing bodily harm against thepolice officer who kicked a suspect in the face during an arrest.
Of course, we remember that the Abbotsford police are themselves the target of an investigation into the use of excessive force, following a video that surfaced on popular social networking site, YouTube.
One has to ask, with all the charges of excessive force arising over the last year, perhaps it is time to revisit the training these officers are receiving. In the two most recent incidents, both officers in question had less than five years experience in the force.
This consideration is compounded by the fact that a New Westminster use-of-force instructor is currently on trial, facing charges of assaulting a news carrier. If the people entrusted to train our police men and women are the very selfsame individuals accused of these crimes, something needs to be changed.