Saskatchewan's police watchdog says two Regina police officers used excessive force against an aboriginal man during an arrest.
Simon Ash-Moccasin lodged a complaint in December 2014 after police incorrectly approached him as a suspect in relation to the theft and sale of a television.
He said officers handcuffed him before shoving him in the back of a police cruiser and arrested him because the suspect police were looking for was aboriginal.
The Public Complaints Commission said in a ruling Thursday that Ash-Moccasin's complaint of excessive force and the way in which he was treated was substantiated.
However, the commission says police did not racially profile Ash-Moccasin and had a legitimate reason to approach him.
Commission chairman Brent Cotter said Justice Ministry prosecutors found no criminal charges were warranted against the officers.
Regina Police Chief Troy Hagen says he apologized to Ash-Moccasin in a one-on-one meeting this week.
"There was a mistake made in this case by the members. It was a mistake that was as categorized by the Public Complaints Commission made in good faith, but nonetheless it was an error," Hagen said at a news conference Thursday.
Cotter said the description of Ash-Moccasin was "noticeably inconsistent" with the description of the suspect.
Hagen was asked if the officers would receive any disciplinary action.
"No, it was considered obviously, but under the circumstances I believed it was more of a training deficiency."
Hagen said all officers will receive more training in the areas of arrest and detention.
The commission investigates between 125 and 150 complaints a year. Cotter said about 10 per cent are found to be substantiated.
The commission is a five-person, non-police body appointed by the government to handle complaints against municipal officers, ensuring both the public and police receive a fair and thorough investigation.
(CJME)
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