Screenshot of the video of Powers arresting a man after assaulting him in front of the Regina detox centre in May of 2012.
The Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism says the Regina Police Service was wrong in reinstating Constable Robert Powers.
The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal recently upheld an assault conviction against Cst. Powers for assaulting an aboriginal man in front of the Regina detox centre in May of 2012. As a result of the assault conviction he was given a one-year conditional sentence that includes probation.
On Wednesday, the Regina Police Service announced Powers will keep his job despite the conviction because they say there is no need for additional punishment. The services Deputy Chief says Powers has already lost more than a year’s worth of wages.
SCAR president Bob Hughes says he is glad the Court of Appeals got it right, but says the Regina Police Service should fire Cst. Powers.
He says this situation has created a bad precedent.
“It’s a precedent that makes it likely that this kind of behaviour will continue by some officers,” says Hughes. “It is disturbing that an officer with this sort of violent history will continue on the beat.”
The SCAR president says moving Cst. Powers from active patrol duty to an office job is a better decision than the one made by the Regina Police Service.
He says he is worried how the image of the Regina Police Service itself and other police agencies will be affected by this decision.
“The Chief and Deputy Chief of the Regina Police Service should be concerned on how this reflects upon them,” says Hughes. “It taints the officers that are out there doing a good job in the community.”
Constable Powers is currently working patrol in the city’s community services division and according to the Deputy Chief he is doing an excellent job.