NSGEU claims unnecessary force in arrest of Cape Breton officer
The president of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union said Friday the RCMP used unnecessary force when it executed a search warrant at the home of a Cape Breton Regional police officer early Wednesday.
Joan Jessome met Friday afternoon with the executive of the police service bargaining unit to hear complaints about the way the officer was treated by the RCMP.
She said the officer told her that between eight and 10 officers with weapons drawn entered his home around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, frightening his wife and three children. Jessome said the officer told her the RCMP would not let his wife wake their two older children, doing it themselves instead and scaring them in the process.
"The officer himself felt like he was being treated like he was a hardened criminal," said Jessome. "The warrant said they were coming into the home for electronic devices, being told it's about an email. None of that puts public safety at risk."
Jessome said the manner of the arrest angered the executive of the union local. "They all say, in their policing history — and they have close to 100 years between them — that this is just not heard of. So that's why we've called [attention] to it. Who gave the direction to the RCMP or is this something that they do on a regular basis?"
Dawn arrest 'consistent' with RCMP policies
RCMP spokesman Cst. Mark Skinner offered a written statement to the CBC in response to Jessome's questions.
"Police action during any search is based on a risk assessment," he wrote. "In order to prevent injuries to all parties involved, police may use a number of options when conducting a search. In this case, actions of the RCMP were consistent with this approach."
RCMP officers seized several electronics devices from the officer's home, as well as a computer from a police vehicle.
The officer was arrested and questioned for several hours Wednesday before being released. The RCMP said this week he is facing a charge of identity fraud and will appear in court Dec. 15.
