Const. Amit Goyal of the Osoyoos-Oliver RCMP is currently being investigated for his conduct during an arrest that took place at an Oliver residence last month. Photo by Paul Everest/ Osoyoos Times File - Click on picture for larger image
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 2, 2010
By Laurena Weninger – Osoyoos Times
A member of the Osoyoos-Oliver RCMP will continue to work while his conduct during a response to a recent domestic dispute in Oliver is being investigated, said Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski.
Last month, Const. Amit Goyal was the first of three RCMP members to arrive at an Oliver residence in response to a 911 call, Lozinski said.
“Basically the call came in as a domestic disturbance,” he said. “We have now received the public complaint and have assigned an investigator outside our office. We take these matters very seriously and will ensure a thorough and impartial investigation is completed.”
Oliver’s Fiona Munro told the Oliver Chronicle newspaper that she was planning to file a complaint with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP about Goyal’s alleged conduct.
She told the Chronicle the officer she is complaining about attended her Road 6 residence on May 15 to arrest a friend of the family for an alleged assault.
When the officer arrived, he allegedly used pepper spray against the man, who Munro said was not resisting arrest, and “slammed” him against a truck.
She also said the officer pulled out his handgun, pointed it at several people, and at one point dropped the gun.
Lozinski wouldn’t confirm the details.
He said there are a lot of people yet to be interviewed and until more information is collected nothing further will be released.
And while Lozinski did say the allegation includes the officer’s use of his gun, he would not confirm this happened and instead pointed out that until the whole story is released, bits and pieces won’t help the situation.
“Policing in a small town is difficult at the best of times,” he said, adding that Goyal has the right to be investigated fairly – but that’s tough in a small town where officers are very visible.
“Until then (the whole story is released) people jump on the bandwagon with very little information.”
Goyal is continuing active duty while the investigation proceeds, Lozinski said, explaining a member may be suspended in some situations.
“If the allegations were serious enough, with some corroborating evidence,” he said.
But this situation does not seem to fit that bill.
Munro could not be reached for comment.
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