The suspended Kelowna RCMP officer accused of viciously kicking a Kelowna man in the head pleaded not guilty to two assault charges in a Kelowna courtroom Tuesday.
Const. Geoff Mantler, who was thrust into the spotlight in January after a video posted online allegedly showed him kick Buddy Tavares in the head, has been suspended from his job since January.
He faces two counts of assault causing bodily harm related to two separate incidents – Tavares’ arrest in January and another alleged incident last September involving a man named Manjit Singh Bhatti.
Mantler is scheduled appear in court July 19 to fix a date for his trial, where he will plead not guilty to both charges.
Meanwhile, Tavares – a Kelowna-based groundskeeper – is launching a civil suit against Mantler and other unnamed officer, the City of Kelowna and the Province of British Columbia for the injuries he alleges he sustained during an altercation with police Jan. 21.
Tavares filed the civil claim to the Supreme Court of British Columbia on June 28, stating that he “suffered loss of dignity and humiliation resulting from (Mantler’s) conduct.”
“He is unable to fulfil his normal daily duties, continues to receive medical treatment and says that his enjoyment of life has been and continues to be impaired,” the claim states.
The document lists a number of injuries Tavares claims he received January 6, including a brain injury, broken nose, damaged teeth, dizziness and nausea, sleeplessness and mental anguish.
It also alleges that Tavares was subject to “excessive and unnecessary force.”
In January, a video posted online showed Tavares – a Kelowna-based groundskeeper – pulled out his truck by two RCMP officers in Kelowna.
He then kneels on the ground before two Mounties and gets kicked in the head by one of the officers before being arrested and held.
The widely-circulated video sparked outrage and Mantler was later suspended from his position with Kelowna RCMP.
Tavares’ possible compensation outlined in the suit include general damages, loss of income as a result of alleged injuries, aggravated damages, costs and any other relief the court “may deem just.”
A call to Mantler’s lawyer Neville McDougall regarding the civil suit was not returned by deadline.
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