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The actions of two Vancouver police officers accused of excessive force during a 2016 domestic dispute call will now be the subject of a public hearing.
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) announced Thursday the hearing was requested by Vladamir Tchaikoun, who alleges he was severely beaten by the officers when they forced themselves into his home on March 13, 2016.
At the time, Tchaikoun said police knocked on his door at 7:30 p.m. and asked for his wife. When he hesitated they forced their way in. The confrontation escalated to involve his wife and son.
Tchaikoun, an engineer who came to Canada from Ukraine in 1998, was severely injured, which police acknowledged.
Police said they were called because of a possible domestic assault, giving them a legal obligation to enter the home and ensure everyone is OK.
Tchaikoun, his wife and son were all arrested and charged with assaulting a peace officer. Tchaikoun hired a lawyer to combat the charges.
On Thursday, the OPCC said the allegations against the officers, Const. Eric Ludeman and Const. Neil Logan, were investigated by the Victoria Police Department and referred to a retired judge for review.
That judge then oversaw a disciplinary proceeding and ruled the offers’ entry into Tchaikoun’s home was unlawful. However, he determined they did not commit misconduct.
Disciplinary hearings do not hear oral evidence from complainants, prompting Tchaikoun to request the public hearing.
The complaint commissioner “determined that it is in the public interest” to arrange the hearing, according to a statement from the OPCC.
A date has not yet been set for the public hearing.
—With files from Jon Azpiri and Yuliya Talmazan