B.C.'s Police Complaint Commissioner has ordered a public hearing into the conduct of a West Vancouver constable convicted of assaulting a newspaper delivery man while off-duty.
According to the notice of public hearing released Friday, the allegations against Const. Griffin Gillan constitute a "significant breach of the public trust," and a public hearing is necessary to restore faith in the police.
Gillan was one of three off-duty police officers involved in the beating of Firoz Khan, then 47, on Jan. 20, 2009. Gillan said he was extremely intoxicated after consuming more than 20 drinks that night with the other officers in downtown Vancouver.
He later pleaded guilty to assault and received a 21-day conditional sentence.
In December, Abbotsford police Chief Constable Bob Rich concluded a Police Act investigation into Gillan's behaviour. He recommended that Gillan be demoted to probationary constable, undergo alcohol counseling and be suspended without pay for 120 hours.
After reviewing that decision, B.C. Police Complaint Commissioner Stan Lowe found that, "an arguable case could be made that the disciplinary or corrective measures are inappropriate or inadequate," according to the notice of public hearing.
Lowe also suggested that Rich might have incorrectly interpreted the police Code of Professional Conduct during his investigation.
The public hearing will be overseen by retired Supreme Court Justice H.D. Boyle. A date for the hearing has yet to be set.
A second officer involved in the assault on Khan, Jeffrey Klassen of the New Westminster police force, will stand trial in the spring. Delta officer Blair Tanino was not charged.
