Two officers have been charged with assault after they allegedly Tasered a 73-year-old man who was in police custody and was being treated in hospital.
Surrey RCMP Const. Mitchell Spears and Transit Police Const. Ken Jansen were charged Oct. 20 following the investigation of an April 22 incident. A man, who was armed with a knife, had been arrested and was taken to the hospital for treatment and assessment.
According to RCMP, the man suffered severe “facial lacerations” when Spears, a Mountie since 2008, allegedly shocked him once with the weapon set to push-stun mode.
Transit Police Acting Chief Officer George Beattie said he was disappointed with the accusations against Jansen.
“Allegations of this nature are troubling for all of us who are entrusted with the public’s confidence,” Beattie said.
After review, both officers were suspended from duty. Beattie said Jansen was immediately removed from “further direct interactions with the public” following the incident. Jansen, a transit officer for three years, was suspended later with pay.
Spears was charged with one count of assault and one count of assault with a weapon. Jansen was charged with one count of assault. The officers are expected in Surrey provincial court on Dec. 7
