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Opening comments: More at the end. Notice how the officers name is only noted at the end of the article - as if to hide it.
Also in this Missing News coverage - important facts are left out - like how the cop was caught in his lies, click here.
"Osborne is currently before a Police Services Act disciplinary hearing in relation to two other matters not related to this case," - what? How busy braking the law has this Peel officer been?
Mississauga News - Sept. 6, 2007 - By Louie Rosella, lrosella@mississauga.net Peel officer charged with assault, lying in court A Peel Regional Police officer has been charged with perjury and assault causing bodily harm in connection with a drinking and driving investigation nearly two years ago.
Peel police arrested the four-year member of the force yesterday following an investigation conducted by the Internal Affairs Bureau.
The incident in question occurred while the accused was a patrol officer at 21 Division, which serves Malton and areas of Brampton. Peel Acting Sgt. Pete Brandwood wouldn't comment on specifics of the case because it's before the courts. He said the perjury charge relates to "making false statements under oath in a court of law with intent to mislead."
The assault causing bodily harm charge was laid in relation to events that occurred during an arrest in November 2005, Brandwood said. Avtar Bhangal is the lawyer who represented Vinny Bains, 33, the man who was initially charged with impaired driving following a Peel police investigation in Brampton on Nov. 21, 2005. Bhangal said the perjury and assault charges were laid because a Peel officer was allegedly caught lying under oath in court on May 29, 2007.
As a result, charges against Bains were stayed, the lawyer said. Bains' older brother, Sunny, was assaulted during the November arrest, Bhangal said. He suffered bruising to his face and upper body and was later charged with being intoxicated in a public place, a charge that was eventually withdrawn.
Bhangal said the charges laid against the officer are "concerning."
"There's always the danger that some officers will stray outside of the boundary of what is legally permissible and lie in court to justify their actions," he said. "By and large, most officers are out there to do their duty in a law-abiding manner."
Brandwood said the charges against the officer reflect the force's transparency and show that "all members of the organization are responsible for any actions taken that may contradict our core values of accountability and integrity."
Charged is Cst. Sean Osborne, who will appear in court Oct. 1. He has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the case. Brandwood said Osborne will also face the "disciplinary process" of the Police Services Act. Osborne is currently before a Police Services Act disciplinary hearing in relation to two other matters not related to this case, Brandwood said. Home Page - Main Table of Contents - Back up a page - Back to Top [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |