Police watchdog clears Kamloops RCMP officer who pushed fleeing suspect, leading to broken jaw

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s police watchdog has cleared a Kamloops RCMP officer of using excessive force in arresting an assault suspect in March.

On March 12, 2021, a Kamloops Mountie was driving through Lower Sahali on Columbia Street West when he noticed an altercation between two people in which one man was seen punching another.

According to the report from the Independent Investigations Office (IIOBC), the officer pulled over and identified himself as an RCMP officer. The assault suspect took off on foot.

While pursuing the suspect, the Mountie pushed him from behind, causing him to fall and slide face-first into a curb. The fall broke the suspect’s jaw.