A B.C. Mountie and a transit police officer have both been charged with assault after a 73-year-old man was Tasered and injured.
The senior citizen was taken into custody on April 22 after police received a report that he was armed with a knife and causing a disturbance at a local home. He was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.
Const. Mitchell Spears, a two-year member of the Surrey RCMP, is accused of using a Taser against the man while he was in custody at the hospital. He is charged with assault and assault with a weapon.
Transit officer Const. Ken Jansen has also been charged with assault in the incident.
The elderly man required stitches on his face after the alleged assault.
RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Annie Linteau said that Mounties are only permitted to use Tasers when they believe they -- or a suspect -- are in imminent danger.
"We're concerned with the police officer's assessment of this situation," she said.
Spears was removed from operational duties as soon as the incident was reported, and has now been suspended from duty. Jansen has also been suspended from duty.
