Click on the video above to watch VicPD Chief Constable Jamie Graham comment on the incident
Click on the video above to watch VicPD Spokesperson Sgt. Grant Hamilton field follow up questions at the next day’s regular press briefing, speaking to questions regarding the revelation of the officer’s identity.
Click on the video above to watch VicPD Spokesperson Sgt. Grant Hamilton comment on the incident
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Internal and External Probes Launched After Officer Reports Incident
January 25, 2010
Victoria Police held a special press briefing on January 25, 2010, which Chief Constable Jamie Graham began with this statement:
“Late last week, as the result of a self-disclosure from a jail supervisor to their watch commander, I became aware of an incident in our cell block where a prisoner was injured…
In the videos to the left of your screen Chief Graham and VicPD spokesperson Sgt. Grant Hamilton brief the media on this incident.
It was later confirmed by reporters that the officer in question was Sgt. George Chong, the brother of Oak-Bay Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong, a provincial cabinet minister. Sgt. Chong pleaded guilty last year to an off-duty assault, and was issued a reprimand from the force.
This is the fourth allegation of excessive use of force by the VicPD to be made public in the last three years. The most prominent of these cases being that of Willow Kinloch, who was awarded $60,000 last year after suing the police for tethering her while drunk in police cells in 2004.
The department settled out of court with the family of Thomas McKay, who suffered permanent head injuries while in police custody in 2004.
Victoria Police cells had previously been staffed by private security guards, but a Sergeant had been assigned to supervise the cells early last year as a response to another excessive force complaint.
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Related Media Links
Officer convicted of assault faces new allegation
Globe and Mail – January 26, 2010
Senior Victoria Police Sergeant suspended
A Channel – January 25, 2010
Victoria police suspend officer after incident
CBC.ca – January 25, 2009
VicPD launch probe into cell-block injury
Victoria News – January 25, 2010
Veteran Victoria police officer being investigated for assault in cells that sent man to hospital
Times Colonist – January 25, 2010
Victoria Police Sergeant Suspended After Jailhouse Incident
CFAX 1070 – January 25, 2010
Police probe complaint of jail-cell force
Times Colonist – January 17, 2009
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