A Lower Mainland police officer was suspended with pay and another was reassigned to desk duty Thursday after being arrested for allegedly assaulting and robbing a newspaper deliveryman in downtown Vancouver.
Three off-duty officers from New Westminster, West Vancouver and Delta police services were arrested outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Burrard Street early Wednesday morning following an altercation with a 47-year-old Surrey man.
It is believed the man was delivering the National Post.
The police officers were held in custody all day and were released Wednesday night without charges.
On Thursday, New West police said a 38-year-old, fourth-year member of the force would be suspended with pay.
The suspension was immediate and will be reviewed within 30 days by the New Westminster Police Board. The department’s professional standards section was also investigating.
Later in the day, West Vancouver police announced that in light of the allegations, a junior constable with one-and-a-half years’ experience was assigned to desk duty.
The Delta officer was off-duty Thursday and at press time, Police Chief Jim Cessford was weighing what action, if any, would be taken.
