Belleville’s police chief has issued a statement after two officers were charged with assault causing bodily harm, following an investigation by the province’s Special Investigations Unit.
The charges stem from a police raid in September, where a man who was arrested suffered serious injuries.
In his statement on Thursday, Chief Mike Callaghan is asking the public to “not prejudge these officers” and “to listen to the facts of this case and allow the legal process to take place”.
He goes on to reaffirm the police service’s commitment to the community saying, “We will continue to serve our citizens and visitors with professionalism, pride and respect as we always have, since 1836.”
The police service won’t be issuing any further comment as the legal process plays out.
Here is the full statement from Belleville Police Chief Mike Callaghan:
The Belleville Police Service understands and recognizes that the charges against our officers are very serious.
This is a very difficult time for the officers involved and all of our members at the Belleville Police Service.
We would respectfully request that you not prejudge these officers and that you listen to the facts of this case and allow the due legal process to take place.
As your community police service we will continue to serve our citizens and visitors with professionalism, pride and respect as we always have since 1836.
The Belleville Police will not be commenting further so as to respect the legal process.
Chief M. Callaghan
