Two Trail cops in two weeks allegedly bitten while effecting an arrest
By Kyra Hoggan
For the second time in two weeks, a Trail RCMP officer has been bitten while dealing with an arrest.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Trail RCMP top cop Sgt. Mike Wicentowich described the events surrounding the most recent alleged assault.
“On June 21, at 6:45 a.m., Trail and Greater District RCMP arrested a 17-year-old boy, in the parking lot of a business in the 8100-block of Highway 3B, after the youth was found causing a disturbance by being intoxicated by both alcohol and drugs in a public place,” Wicentowich said.. “When RCMP officers were lodging the teen into cells, he allegedly bit one of the officers on the hand (hard enough to break skin). The youth was held in police custody until sober.
“He was issued a $230 violation ticket for possession of liquor by a minor contrary to section 78 (1)(c) of the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Act (LCLA) and a $230 violation ticket for being a minor in possession of cannabis contrary to section 73 (1) of the BC Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA).
“Trail RCMP will be consulting with the BC Prosecution Service about a potential charge of assaulting a police officer against the youth.”
As earlier mentioned, this is nowhere close to being an isolated incident – he said the use-of-force component of policing can often put the officers themselves In jeopardy.
“Officers do go out there and put their bodies and minds on the line every day,” he said. “It’s common for all officers to get pushed, shoved and bitten without any charges being forwarded.”
He said mitigating factors such as mental illness or diminished capacity, will be considered when recommending charges – but those factors in no way mitigate the injuries officers suffer.
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