Quesnel Mountie Faces Assault Charge

Monday, July 07, 2008 06:11 PM

Quesnel, B.C. - An RCMP officer stationed in Quesnel has been charged with assault and has been suspended with pay.

The charge comes as a result of a statutory investigation by the "E" Division Professional Standards Unit.

Corporal Steven Chin faces a single count of assault, the charge stems from an incident which occured in the Quesnel Detachment Cell block on December 16, 2007.

On December 16, 2007 at approximately 2:50 AM, members of the Quesnel RCMP had responded to a reported injury motor vehicle incident on Dragon Lake Hill, Highway 97 in Quesnel. This was a single vehicle incident. The driver of the vehicle, Tony Adams (then Age 22), was apparently interfering with emergency personnel at the scene who were trying to treat an injured passenger. An investigator arrested Adams for obstruction and was removing him from the immediate scene. Adams is alleged to have attacked the investigator, punching him without warning or provocation, and then jumping on him.

A second officer at the scene deployed a taser in the touch stun mode once on Adams who then stopped resisting and was arrested for assaulting a police officer. The officer received a non-permanent injury to one eye and was off duty for two weeks.

Adams was taken to the Quesnel detachment for processing for impaired driving and the assault charge.

Corporal Chin was called in from off duty as the Datamaster technician. During the preparation for the breath testing, there was a verbal exchange between Corporal Chin and Adams during which Corporal Chin is alleged to have struck Adams once in the face with a closed fist. The blow resulted in superficial injuries to ADAMS. The Detachment management was informed of the incident and an internal investigation was immediately ordered.

Tony Adams was charged with Impaired Driving and Assaulting a Peace Officer. His trial date is set for November 19. 2008.

On December 21, 2007, Corporal Chin was placed on, and remains on suspension with pay. He appears in Quesnel Provincial Court for a first appearance tomorrow at 9:30 AM.

A parallel Code of Conduct investigation was also conducted by the "E" Division Professional Standards Unit. That investigation has been referred to the "E" Division Commanding Officer for Formal Discipline.

This investigation involved a number of police witnesses, all of whom cooperated fully with the investigation. The RCMP will continue to cooperate as this matter proceeds through the courts.

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Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 06:11 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: lmorg on July 7 2008 7:39 PM

Sounds like a witch hunt to me

Posted by: RUEZ on July 7 2008 10:33 PM

Sometimes drunk people need a good slap.

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 7 2008 10:59 PM

Not very professional or controlled.

Posted by: lmorg on July 7 2008 11:11 PM

Maybe he spat at him Heidi....

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 7 2008 11:37 PM

Oh the jerk! lol..

Posted by: lostfaith on July 7 2008 11:40 PM

Sounds like someone forgot to turn off the camera.

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 7 2008 11:40 PM

yes sarcasm...

Posted by: acrider54 on July 8 2008 5:48 AM

Suspended with pay. In others words gets a paid holiday on our nickle.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on July 8 2008 8:03 AM

What's the point?
When was the last time we heard of an RCMP officer actually being found guilty as charged?
It just doesn't happen.
And why are they always suspended WITH pay?

Posted by: lmorg on July 8 2008 9:06 AM

Well Andy, if you were accused of committing a criminal offense (not found guilty) does your employer have a right to fire you if you are otherwise able to work? To suspend with pay is the rcmp way of keeping you off the street while you may be a risk to the organization due to stress, but not to ignore due process and prevent this person from being able to feed his family.

I'm sure there are others out there who are facing criminal charges but still keep their jobs and pay..

Posted by: lmorg on July 8 2008 9:14 AM

However, if he is cleared in criminal court I would expect the code of conduct matter will be withdrawn also.

The only person who could have suspended Cpl. chin is the CO of E division. So, since December 21, 2007 or even before, the CO has had knowledge of the member who is alledged to have breached the code of conduct. It would be interesting to know if the CO has actually referred the matter and called for a board yet.

Posted by: getajob on July 8 2008 9:23 AM

He is a good officer...

Posted by: Qtown on July 8 2008 9:49 AM

I agree, he is a good officer. But he really needs to avoid punching citizens in the face. Even if that citizen deserves it.

Posted by: metalman on July 8 2008 11:51 AM

It must be hard not to dispense a little justice to a mouthy person who needs to learn some respect.
metalman.

Posted by: lostfaith on July 8 2008 2:12 PM

Metalman, some times when you do and its self defence, you still get treated like a criminal.

Posted by: HD on July 8 2008 6:01 PM

There probably was a valid reason why he punched the guy in the face. Maybe he told the officer his mother is a hooker or something like that. If some one told me that I would punch them in the face also. Who knows what happened, the prisoner already attacked police officers on Dragon Lake Hill that same night.

Posted by: realitysetsin on July 8 2008 6:19 PM

Ask me if I care if a cop punches a drunk who has already caused injury to others through his stupidity.

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 8 2008 9:39 PM

I see it as the fine line where control is lost and where in some situations a disaster unfolds because of it. He will one day become a great officer if he can learn to take control of the situation. Would he be able to handle more severe situations?

Let the drunk be a babbling fool or spit if that's what he chooses. Why play into it and go to that level? Why escalate things? Be the bigger man, throw him in the cell and walk away. If the drunk punched the officer first or raised a hand in motion to punch during the breathalizer then yes punch him (if that's what it takes to stop him) and place another charge on him. Heck even give the officer a raise for using his hands and not his taser/gun on an unarmed man.

Posted by: getajob on July 9 2008 12:02 AM

heidi1555 on July 8 2008 9:39 PM
"Would he be able to handle more severe situations?"

Heidi he is a wellrounded member and knows his job well! He is no rookie in any sense of the word. Something took place and it can and does happen not only to us but them as well.

The members have alot of stress and the demands placed on them is huge. I am sure you agree with that. It's a shame that it happened and i don't think any less of the RCMP for it!
Should it happen no...but nor should these crooks be getting away with it either.

Posted by: Truth on July 9 2008 1:03 AM

People who defend cop brutality are Nazis. The Justice Institute prescribes only 65 days training before our blue slugs are put on the streets. They are as poorly trained as are they unprofessional.

On any given day in Vancouver, MOST assaults are committed by cops against innocent targets. I see this abuse of office, everyday.

Posted by: getajob on July 9 2008 1:38 AM

i was talking about well trained Mounties!

A wiseman once said," You are blind and deaf my child, I see your problem!look between your legs your head is buried somewheres i am thinking!"
Not Zen but it's my best at this late hour...Do you hear and see now?

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 9 2008 8:13 AM

Maybe keeping a dime between your knees will work for other things too? (A wise man once said keep a dime between your knees.)

;)

I'm glad he's a good member getajob....I just want to hear of more great ones is all. I really respect people who keep their cool especially in minor situations.

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 9 2008 8:24 AM

Let's start telling some good officer stories...then maybe when we hear the bad ones we'll better know how to feel and act?

Posted by: getajob on July 9 2008 12:22 PM

yup the dime thing works....but the way of thinking in this day and age is goofy. people don't respect the police yet feel sorry for the slimeballs...Crooks walk away with a smirk on their faces...That's what erks me....just wanna smack the smartass smirk off their face....

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 9 2008 6:05 PM

That irks me too getajob with the ones that truly are slimeballs. You know how great it would be though to not have officers cross the line? Not let anger and temper get in the way of a job well done? It would be a breath of fresh air to go a long period of time with no b.s. I feel very passionate about that.

I'd love to read a study on male vs. female officers in situations. Would be interesting.

Posted by: getajob on July 9 2008 8:24 PM

hmm i doubt gender is the problem.
Met some females that are lil power trippers also...not saying that is the case here....in gen terms.