NPD officer convicted of assault resigns
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Police officer convicted of assault in October of 2015 has resigned.
Chief Constable Wayne Holland released the information in a media release Friday afternoon.
“On January 21st, 2016 Drew Turner submitted a letter of resignation to the Office of the Chief Constable,” Holland said in the release.
“That document was subsequently directed to the attention of the Nelson Police Board.”
“The Chair and Directors did ultimately accept and approve the resignation and Mr. Turner is no longer engaged as a Nelson Police Department constable,” Holland added.
The Chair of the Nelson Police Board is Nelson Mayor Deb Kozak.
Const. Turner was convicted of assault following an incident on May 1, 2014 near the Nelson Big Orange Bridge.
A female was being arrested for being intoxicated in a public place and breach of a previously court-ordered condition that she refrains from drinking alcohol.
The arresting officer, needing assistance, had called Nelson dispatch requesting backup.
Const. Turner, off duty at the time, happened to be in the area and quickly came to the assistance of the arresting officer.
At the trial evidence was given that while the arrest was in progress, Const. Turner punched a woman in the face while she was handcuffed in the back of a police vehicle.
Some members came forward to give evidence in court against Const. Turner.
Turner was sentenced to 30 days house arrest and a one-year probation.
At the time of the sentence, Holland said he would no comment until he had received and reviewed all of the available material pertaining to this file.
He added the court proceedings been an extremely stressful for the entire community.
In the release Holland said, “the remaining components of the professional standards investigation will be accomplished by Vancouver Police Department personnel under the supervision of New Westminster Police Department External Disciplinary Authority Chief Constable Dave Jones.”
Holland concluded in the release, “Police Complaints Commissioner Stan Lowe and his management team will ultimately conclude this professional standards investigation.”
