Assault charge approved against Vancouver police officer
The Vancouver Police Department's headquarters on Cambie Street are seen in a Shutterstock image.
An officer with the Vancouver Police Department has been charged with assault in connection with an on-duty incident last year, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Const. Riley Emerson Robert Wiens is scheduled to appear in Vancouver provincial court in August.
The charge was approved by "an experienced Crown counsel with no prior or current connection with the officer," the B.C. Prosecution Service said in a news release.
Authorities did not provide any details regarding the alleged assault except that it dates back to March 20, 2021.
B.C.'s police watchdog was called to investigate an altercation between an officer and a man outside the Vancouver Police Department's Cordova Street jail on that date, but ultimately decided not to pursue the case.
The Independent Investigations Office said the available medical information indicated the man wasn't seriously hurt during the altercation. The watchdog only investigates police-involved incidents that result in death or serious harm.
It's unclear which agency investigated the allegations against Wiens. CTV News has reached out to the Vancouver Police Department for more information, including whether the officer remains on active duty.
In April 2020, Wiens was involved in another incident that earned him and 32 other officers a commendation from Chief Const. Adam Palmer. A suspect allegedly started a fire in a nine-floor residential building, and officers "battled thick smoke" to evacuate the residents, including a senior who had to be carried down five flights of stairs, according to the commendation.
The suspect, who was allegedly swinging a chain and knife, was arrested from a third-floor balcony, where authorities sprayed him with a high-pressure water hose and shocked him with a Taser in order to bring him into custody.
The commendation does not specify what part Wiens played in the police response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
While RCMP says use of spyware is lawful, it's 'extremely intrusive': former privacy commissioner
While the RCMP says its use of spyware is lawful, there is 'no doubt' the covert collection by police of personal and other information from Canadians' devices 'is an extremely intrusive practice,' says former privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien. 'What's at play is the balancing of privacy and other public interests,' Therrien said Tuesday.
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Ford throne speech says more can be done on health staffing; offers no new solutions
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says through his throne speech that more can be done to ease health system pressures, but is not yet offering up any new solutions.
Trump seeks to raise money off news of FBI search of his Florida home
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday tried to turn the news of an FBI search of his Florida estate to his benefit, citing the investigation in text messages and emails soliciting political donations from his supporters.
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
Canadian frigates missing from NATO naval forces for first time since 2014
For the first time in eight years, Canadian warships are not involved in either of two NATO naval task forces charged with patrolling European waters and defending against Russian threats.
WhatsApp is going to stop letting everyone see when you're online
Two new features being introduced on WhatsApp, which will let you choose who can see when you're active, and to leave groups silently, will start rolling out to all WhatsApp users this month.
opinion
opinion | Tom Mulcair: Why Pierre Poilievre's plan to work with provinces to reduce barriers is a good idea
The serious shortage of nurses and doctors has put the spotlight on a long overdue reform to the rules governing entrance requirements for foreign-trained professionals, says former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in an exclusive column for CTVNews.ca.
WestJet brings back 17 routes for Canadians to escape the cold this winter
WestJet is bringing back 17 new routes that were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic to help travellers escape the cold this winter.
Top commander defends military's vaccine requirement, says 'tweak' in the works
Canada's top military commander says he plans to 'tweak' the Armed Forces' vaccine requirement in the next few weeks.
Vancouver Island
-
Missing Port Alberni woman subject of podcast series
The search is still on for a missing Port Alberni woman, and friends and family are hoping that a new podcast revolving around the 40-year-old's disappearance will help keep the investigation in people's minds.
-
Staff shortage forces closure of another Vancouver Island health-care centre
Staffing shortages have forced the closure of another Vancouver Island medical centre.
-
NEW
NEW | North Saanich waterway restoration to include improved fish habitat
Work is underway to repair a damaged North Saanich road and restore the fish-bearing Chalet Creek following November's flooding.
Calgary
-
Graphic, violent photos and threats sent to victims in new scam: Calgary police
Calgary police are warning citizens about an extortion scam that sees victims sent graphic and violent photos to intimidate them into handing over their hard-earned money.
-
Calgary man and dog drown at Spray Lakes Reservoir in Kananaskis Country
Alberta RCMP officers are hoping to recover the body of a man they say drowned while trying to save a dog from Spray Lakes Reservoir.
-
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
Edmonton
-
Fatal Highway 770 crash part of larger criminal investigation: RCMP
A fatal crash west of Edmonton is part of a larger investigation into a "string" of break-and-enters, police say.
-
'Very concerning': Camrose casino wants to move to southeast Edmonton
Residents in southeast Edmonton are concerned after finding out that a casino could soon be relocating to their neighbourhood.
-
1 dead, 1 in critical condition after police shooting northeast of Edmonton
One person is dead and a second is in critical condition after a police shooting northeast of Edmonton on Monday.
Toronto
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Ford throne speech says more can be done on health staffing; offers no new solutions
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says through his throne speech that more can be done to ease health system pressures, but is not yet offering up any new solutions.
-
Ontario's budget to be re-tabled: This is what Doug Ford promised
The Progressive Conservatives are set to re-table their 2022 budget today, nearly three months after it was presented to Ontarians.
-
Longtime radio host John Derringer leaves Q107 amid investigation
Longtime radio personality John Derringer is leaving his position as host of Q107's 'Derringer in the Morning' after 22 years amid an investigation into verbal abuse and gender discrimination in the workplace.
Montreal
-
Stricter regulations needed as Montreal sees more heat waves per year
Montrealers are getting a little breather from the scorching heat to start the week, but weather experts say that relief won't last long.
-
More than 288,000 Quebecers now registered with family physician group
In two months, 288,709 more Quebecers have signed up with a family medicine group.
-
25 more COVID-19 deaths in Quebec as hospitalizations, ICU numbers subside
Quebec health officials confirm 25 more people have died due to COVID-19, a total of 16,069.
Winnipeg
-
Officer shooting man in Thompson was reasonable and necessary: IIU
Manitoba’s police watchdog has concluded its investigation into an officer-involved shooting in Thompson last year, and determined that the officer’s decision to shoot the man was “reasonable, necessary and justified in law.”
-
While RCMP says use of spyware is lawful, it's 'extremely intrusive': former privacy commissioner
While the RCMP says its use of spyware is lawful, there is 'no doubt' the covert collection by police of personal and other information from Canadians' devices 'is an extremely intrusive practice,' says former privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien. 'What's at play is the balancing of privacy and other public interests,' Therrien said Tuesday.
-
Winnipeg police investigating shots fired in city's North End
Winnipeg police officers are investigating a report of shots fired in the city’s North End.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
-
Saskatoon mother who disappeared with son faces charges in U.S., Canada
A Saskatoon woman will face charges in the U.S. and Canada after she allegedly transported her son illegally across the border.
-
$4.1 million to Beardy’s Okemasis’ Cree Nation for withholding salaries to leadership
The Government of Canada has negotiated a settlement with Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation for lost salaries and annuities promised to chiefs and headmen under Treaty 6.
Regina
-
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
-
Search for missing swimmer continues on Last Mountain Lake: Southey RCMP
The search for a man who went missing while swimming near Pelican Pointe on Last Mountain Lake, Sask. will continue on Tuesday, according to a release from Southey RCMP.
-
Fire restrictions in effect for Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan Landing provincial parks
Fire restrictions are in place for both Cypress Hills and Saskatchewan Landing provincial parks due to extreme fire hazards, according to the Saskatchewan Parks website.
Atlantic
-
Newfoundland highway reopens after days of closures due to out-of-control wildfires
A massive effort began Tuesday to transport food to the southern Newfoundland communities that had been cut off for days from the rest of the island because of raging wildfires.
-
Family doctor wanted: N.B. woman turns to Twitter to find doctor as wait list hits 74,000
As the doctor wait list hits 74,000 in New Brunswick, one woman is turning to social media with her pitch to try to find a replacement after losing her own doctor.
-
'We're not asking for the world': Some turn to tents in Lower Sackville amid housing crisis
A number of people are living in tents in a small park just off Sackville Drive in Lower Sackville, N.S., as they struggle to cope with inflation and find affordable housing.
London
-
London police identify weekend homicide victim
London police have identified the city's fourth homicide victim of the year.
-
172-year-old home spared from demolition in Oxford County
A 172 -year-old home in Oxford County is protected from demolition, at least temporarily.
-
Man seriously assaulted by multiple people in Stratford, Ont.
Police in Stratford are searching for several suspects after a man was seriously assaulted late last weekend.
Northern Ontario
-
Timmins senior charged for firing gun in ongoing bylaw dispute
An 84-year-old Timmins man is facing a list of firearms-related charges following an incident at an undeveloped lot involved in an ongoing dispute with city bylaw officials, police said.
-
Ontario's budget to be re-tabled: This is what Doug Ford promised
The Progressive Conservatives are set to re-table their 2022 budget today, nearly three months after it was presented to Ontarians.
-
The extraordinary political storm unleashed by the FBI search of Trump's Florida resort
The FBI search of Donald Trump's Florida resort is an extraordinary, historic development given that it targeted a former President of the United States and set off a political uproar he could use to stoke his likely 2024 White House bid.
Kitchener
-
OPP close roads east of Guelph due to collision
Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police have closed a section of Wellington Road 124 due to a vehicle collision.
-
Police lay charges in fatal collision from October 2021
Waterloo region police have charged a 20-year-old man in connection to a fatal collision from October of 2021.
-
Waterloo region organization aiding Hockey Canada with sexual assault training workshop
Hockey Canada has turned to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR) for help in training its athletes and staff to end sexual violence.