Kelowna Mountie on trial

There has been a steady stream of police officer witnesses in a Kelowna trial of one of their own.

Constable Steve Conlon is charged with assault causing bodily harm for allegedly punching a young woman.

In February 2009, Conlon and other officers burst into the home of Crystal Young, 19, looking for a possible accomplice to a man who had just pepper sprayed an RCMP officer.

Young had no involvement with the pepper spray attack.

While Young attempted to control her dog, Conlon allegedly punched her once in the face.

Constable Alexander Taggart has testified he was standing next to Conlon but did not see the punch because he turned at that exact moment to get his baton from his belt.

However, Constable Lacy Browning has testified she did see the punch.

Browning says Young was not obeying orders to get down on the ground and when Young’s dog lunged at Conlon, she watched as Conlon struck Young in the face.

The trial has been adjourned until December 21st, when Conlon will take the stand.

The Mountie is expected to testify he never intended to punch Young and that he was instead defending himself from her aggressive dog.

The defence is also expected to call a retired Vancouver city police officer to the witness stand; the officer is purported to be an expert in the use of force.