A Regina Police Service constable has been charged with assault following an investigation into an incident that happened on April 21, according to police.
Roger Wiebe, 50, a 16-year member with Regina police, was the subject of a complaint claiming he used excessive force while on duty.
The complaint came from a fellow officer, who was also on scene.
“From that concern, we did some investigation and learned some details about the call. We were able to discover video we had from our own video source – our in-car camera,” Regina police Chief Evan Bray said.
“We’re not hiding behind the fact that we are charging a police officer today. We’re holding ourselves accountable.”
Police say the incident happened on North Railway Street in Regina while Wiebe was responding to a person needing help, a call made by a member of the public.
Wiebe allegedly assaulted the woman who needed help.
The identity of the woman, allegedly assaulted, is unknown at this point. Bray said the woman wasn’t arrested or charged during the altercation and was not taken into custody.
“We don’t actually know the identity of the woman in this case. We’re still working through the investigative process to try to determine who she is,” Bray said.
Bray said this incident highlights the difficulty police have when dealing with mental health calls.
“This is the nature of what policing has evolved to. It is my hope, through this conversation, we’re able to get to a point where we do have other community supports that may be better equipped to help those who are in crisis,” Bray said.
“That’s an ongoing piece of work and I think it’s important dialogue we focus on going forward.”
Police say they notified the Public Complaints Commission at the time of the incident.
“We felt it was necessary to bring it forward as a public complaint…that’s an important part of the process. It’s an independent body, they don’t respond or answer to police,” Bray said.
“Once it steps outside of the police service then we no longer control the timeline.”
Wiebe has been reassigned to administrative duties as he awaits the outcome of his charges. Bray said this is the first time Wiebe has been charged by Regina police.
His first court appearance is at 9:30 a.m. on Aug 11.