Abbotsford police are recommending a charge of assault against the Kelowna RCMP officer videotaped kicking a seemingly cooperative suspect in the face during an arrest last week.
The department says it's almost finished probing the arrest of Buddy Tavares, who was pulled over Jan. 7 by Mounties responding to reports of shots fired at the Harvest Golf Club.
Investigators are preparing to submit a report to Crown counsel recommending a single charge of assault causing bodily harm against one of the officers involved. The Crown will decide whether or not to pursue the charge.
The announcement came Sunday morning, hours before a protest rally organized in response to Tavares' arrest was set to begin at Kelowna City Park.
Police say the timing was coincidental, but criminologist Rob Gordon believes it was planned to take the sting out of the anti-police demonstration.
He also says police deserve credit for the swiftness of the investigation.
"The speed with which the Abbotsford Police Department has responded is to be applauded," he said.
"It's often the case in the past that police have dragged their feet on these things, but here you've got a very prompt response and I think that's to be congratulated."
The city's top RCMP officer held a press conference Saturday to appeal for cool heads during the protest. "I have read the comments in various blogs that civil disobedience may erupt and that does concern me," Supt. Bill McKinnon said.
McKinnon added that he understands the emotions that will be going through the crowd.
"I want to assure the public that senior members of the RCMP hear loud and clear what the general public's views are in relation to the video that has been shown across the country and is readily accessible on the Internet," he said.
Tavares' arrest was videotaped by a bystander and uploaded online, spurring public outrage in the community.
The footage shows Tavares on his knees next to his truck when an officer winds up and kicks him in the face. The suspect is then rolled over, revealing his bloodied face and a pool of blood on the ground.
Tavares was charged Monday with careless use of a firearm. The 51-year-old works at the golf course, but was on leave while recovering from a brain injury.
His friends say one of his duties is to scare geese off the greens with a shotgun.
The officer involved, Const. Geoff Mantler, has been suspended from duty with pay.
Speaking to CTV News from Sunday's protest, Tavares said he's annoyed the Mountie could continue to draw a paycheque for a year or two, even if he's ultimately fired.
"You can't take two years to fire somebody," he said. "I could be fired in a heartbeat, so could you."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat
