MALAKWA – A Malakwa family claims a police officer assaulted their family member during an arrest last Friday.
“It’s hard to see your son get beat up by police officers; it is hard,” says Elizabeth Fitzpatrick who alleges her son was assaulted by police during an arrest on Friday.
She says her son, Kevin Hillier, was arrested for assaulting his wife.
“They had his head down into the car, his body was on the ground and this police officer was pounding him in the head, beating him severely in the head,” says Fitzpatrick.
The family says Kevin Hillier was complying with police officers and was defenceless.
“He just lay over on the hood of the car and they put handcuffs behind his back and they handcuffed him up. The next thing we saw was him being hit from the side of the car,” says Scott Hillier, the brother of the assault suspect.
Kevin Hillier has been charged with assault relating to a domestic dispute, which was the reason for the 9-1-1 call by his wife, Reanne Bois, on the Friday night.
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Bois told Global News despite the fact that her husband assaulted her, the alleged police beating did happen and it was excessive.
Hillier was charged with resisting arrest but those charges were stayed. He did plead guilty to assaulting a police officer. He also pleaded guilty to a breach of undertaking in failing to abstain from alcohol.
Police confirm there’s an active investigation into the alleged use of excessive force by the officer.
“Saturday morning, March 5, we were contacted and advised of some concerns about the arrest and allegations of excessive force,” says C/Supt. Brad Haugli, Southeast District Officer.
“Immediately upon being called we arranged for a senior supervisor, from a neighboring RCMP Detachment, to meet with the family/witnesses and discuss what took place.”
Haugli says it was around 8:30 p.m. that two officers responded to a domestic dispute here in the 4000 block of Delaney Road in Malakwa.
Family members say they tried to record the incident on a smart phone but weren’t able to.
“The female officer that was with him tried to turn around and tell him that they didn’t see anything. She kept the flashlight on our faces the entire time she refused to let us get anywhere near with the camera,” says Hillier’s ex sister-in-law Deanne Windsor.
Family members have been certain he must have visible scars from the alleged police beating, RCMP say that’s not the case.
“I specifically asked for an assessment to be made with respect to any injuries related to the allegations. There are no specific injuries that have been found nor medical treatment needed,” says Haugli.
Family members say the young man should still be held responsible if he did assault his wife but police actions during the arrest should also be accountable.
“They’re supposed to serve and protect,” says Fitzpatrick.
Hillier was scheduled to appear in court on Monday but was delayed until Tuesday morning.
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