Pubdate: Sat, 17 Oct 2015
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Trevor Robb
Page: 12

CITY COP FACING ASSAULT RAP

An Edmonton cop could be slapped with a suspension and a hefty fine 
after a suspect carrying three ounces of marijuana broke his ankle 
during a police chase in 2014.

On Friday morning, Const. Nathan Downing, a six-year veteran of the 
Edmonton Police Service, sat before a police disciplinary hearing 
facing one count of unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority, 
and one count of discreditable conduct under the Police Act.

In his defence, Downing's representative, retired EPS staff sergeant, 
Bill Newton, says Downing and his partner were driving in a 
residential neighbourhood when Downing's partner recognized a man as 
a person he had arrested just days before.

Downing's partner shouted at the suspect, who was walking on the 
sidewalk smoking a joint, but the man ran from the officers. Downing, 
who was driving a police van at the time, drove ahead of the man and 
pulled in along a six-foot, chain-link fence to block his path. It 
was during this manoeuvre when the suspect wound up breaking his ankle.

"He wasn't struck by the van, although he did strike the side of the 
van. It was originally alleged that our Const, Downing pinned him 
against the fence, but we showed that didn't happen," said Newton. 
"The chief determined that it was an excessive use of force, because 
he was arresting the guy -- absent police involvement the man would 
be walking around without a broken ankle."

Newton is asking for an official reprimand, which would remain on 
Downing's record for the next five years.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Teresa Magee, on behalf of Chief Rod Knecht, is 
looking for a penalty of 60 to 70 hours of suspension which would 
result in a loss of wages ranging from $2,622 to $3,059.

Newton spent much of his defence mentioning Downing's clean record -- 
this being is first offence -- adding that in his second year of 
service Downing received a recommendation for bravery for rushing 
into a burning building and helping tenants vacate the area.

"He's a bright young guy. He likes to work, he likes to work hard, he 
likes to catch bad guys, and that's what makes him a good policeman 
and why we think he should catch a break here," said Newton.

A decision isn't expected to be made for several weeks.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom