B.C. Mountie's aggravated assault verdict prompts review
CBC News
Posted: Feb 15, 2013 9:24 AM PT
Last Updated: Feb 15, 2013 5:07 PM PT
A Vancouver Island RCMP commander says he’ll conduct a review of police practices after an officer was found guilty of aggravated assault.
Const. David Pompeo was handed the verdict Thursday for shooting an unarmed man in Chemainus in September 2009.
The court ruled Pompeo had no reason to believe his life was in danger when he pulled Bill Gillespie, 43, over on suspicion of driving while prohibited.
“The court has made a finding so now we have to see what the rationale is for that finding and try to make that make sense, not only from my position as the officer in charge but for all of staff,” said Insp. Norm McPhail.
“So it initiates, in part, a review of how we do business."
Pompeo, who was working in Duncan when the incident occurred, has since been transferred to the nearby Nanaimo detachment, where he has been confined to desk duty. McPhail says he's not sure whether that will change when Pompeo is sentenced.
Gillespie suffers pain daily from the bullet that is lodged in his spine — but McPhail declined an invitation to apologize on behalf of the force.
"I have nothing to say to Bill Gillespie at the present time,” he said. “I have to review the circumstances and am awaiting the disposition of the case."
A date for sentencing is expected to be set next month. After that, Pompeo will face an internal disciplinary hearing and a civil lawsuit from Gillespie.
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