KELOWNA, BC – A former Kelowna RCMP officer has received a suspended sentence with 18 months probation for kicking Buddy Tavares during an arrest.
Geoff Mantler will also have to perform 50 hours of community work service and provide a DNA sample to the national DNA database.
In sentencing Mantler, the judge said the aggravating circumstances were the ‘extreme’ and ‘lethal’ force he used when arresting Tavares.
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The judge said jail time for the former RCMP officer was not warranted as he used no anger or malice when he kicked Tavares in the head as he lowered himself to the ground during the arrest.
Mantler has since retired from the force after being suspended without pay after the January 2011 incident in Kelowna.
Outside of the courtroom before the sentencing hearing, Tavares told reporters he did not accept Mantlers apology read in court.
Tavares does admit he declined meeting with Mantler in the last two years because he says he wouldn’t trust himself in a room with Mantler due to the anger he feels toward the former Mountie.
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