A judge has given a conditional discharge with one year probation to a former Regina police officer who was found guilty of using excessive force during an arrest.
Robert Power was charged with assault causing bodily harm after he kicked Edward Stonechild in the stomach outside a detox centre near the city’s downtown in May 2012.
The kick, which was captured on surveillance video, caused Stonechild to fall backward and hit his head on a concrete wall. He was treated for a cut in hospital and was released later that day.
During the trial, Power’s lawyer, Aaron Fox, argued that his client acted in self-defence after Stonechild charged at him with a raised fist.
However, Crown prosecutor Bill Burge said Stonechild’s arms were at his sides, and that he wasn’t even within striking distance of the officer before he was kicked.
During Power’s sentencing Friday, provincial court judge Doug Kovatch noted the former police constable lied to investigators about the amount of force he used.
However, Kovatch also noted that Power told the court he was sorry for injuring Stonechild, and that he didn’t intend to hurt him.
Power was ordered to make a $1,000 dontation to the detox centre where the incident happened, and must abide by several conditions.
