London police officer charged with assault by SIU

Ontario’s police watchdog has charged a London, Ont. police officer with assault in connection with an alleged incident that occurred last summer.

London Police Service (LPS) Sgt. Trevor Pool faces an assault charge in relation to injuries sustained by 43-year-old Michel Gibeault in August 2014, according to a statement released by the Special Investigations Unit on Wednesday.

The SIU says that when Gibeault was arrested in London for various offences in the early morning hours of Aug. 10, there was an “interaction” between him and Pool.

The SIU says Gibeault was later released from custody and eventually diagnosed with two fractured ribs.

The issue was reported to the SIU by the LPS on Dec. 12, 2014, according to the statement.

As a result of the investigation, SIU Director Tony Loparco has caused one charge of assault causing bodily harm to be laid against Pool.

Pool will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in London on June 9. The Ministry of the Attorney General will coordinate for the prosecution.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.