Another victim of alleged Kelowna police brutality speaks out familiar, alleged, police, 2011

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Another victim of alleged Kelowna police brutality speaks out
By CHBC News, Kelowna January 20, 2011 4:02 PM Be the first to post a comment

KELOWNA -- Another Kelowna resident is complaining of alleged police brutality, and it involves a familiar face.

Jeremy Packer says he was punched repeatedly by a Kelowna RCMP officer on August 10, 2010.

CHBC News has now learned the name of that officer: Constable Geoff Mantler, who was caught on tape kicking Buddy Tavares in the head earlier this month.

Packer, who was working for Tru North Marine, was towing a boat across the Bennett Bridge when he was stopped by police.

RCMP had received a complaint Packer was stealing the boat, but he says he was re-possessing it for non-payment of a repair bill.

He says the police had their guns drawn and told him to put his hands up in the air.

Packer complains Mantler then ripped the door open, pulled him out of the truck and down to the ground and punched him several times in the face.

Packer says he did not resist arrest and was not attempting to flee.

He filed a formal complaint against the RCMP in November about the incident.

A written response from a senior Mountie reveals Mantler is the officer in question.

Packer says Mantler should be fired.

In relation to the Buddy Tavares incident, Abbotsford police are recommending a charge of assault causing bodily harm against the Kelowna RCMP officer. The videotaped incident occurred as police responded to a call about gunshots at Harvest Golf Course in Kelowna, where Tavares had previously worked. Tavares, 51, has been charged with careless use of a firearm “in relation to a domestic violence situation that is still under investigation,” the RCMP has said.

The officer, who has been identified as Const. Mantler, was initially placed on desk duty, but the RCMP said he has now been suspended from duty with pay until further notice.