Regina police corporal charged with assault

A Regina Police Service corporal is facing two charges of assault after an investigation by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC).

Colin Bradley Magee, 46, was on duty when the alleged assaults against a man and a male youth occurred in September. The 17-year member of the RPS was charged following an investigation into alleged assaults that occurred Sept. 26 and Sept. 27 in the detention area of the RPS headquarters.

The RPS notified the PCC, which investigated the incidents. Charges subsequently were laid against Magee, who’s to make his first court appearance on May 27.

It’s not the first time that Magee has been at the centre of an investigation. He faced a charge and a lawsuit after an alleged assault of a man in December of 2016.

Following that charge, Magee was assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. He was referred to an alternative measures program as part of the mediation process and was reassigned to the detention area in early 2018. The assault charge was stayed in December.

Asked Tuesday why Magee was allowed to work again with people who were in custody, Chief Evan Bray explained the detention area is one where Magee would be under close supervision.

“I felt like this was something that we could move him down there to do, given the fact that the jeopardy in that case had changed, although the case wasn’t resolved yet,” said Bray. “It’s an area where we’ve got close audio and video monitoring and if something came up, we could review it and unfortunately something did.”

Bray wouldn’t go into detail but said the victims did not sustain any injuries. That’s why Magee faces a charge of common assault instead of assault causing bodily harm.

The two incidents in September were not reported by the victims but were flagged during an internal use-of-force review, which Bray said is common practice anytime force is used by police. Bray said he’s proud that the internal review process meant to hold his officers to account isn’t incumbent on a public complaint.

“I would hope that the public feels that this is another step of accountability and transparency in our organization and I would hope that it doesn’t hurt, ultimately, the reputation of our service,” said Bray.

Now that Magee has faced multiple assault charges, Bray couldn’t guarantee that Magee won’t be working with the public again. Bray is waiting until the court and administrative processes are complete.

“What his future looks like, where he works, what capacity he works in, I’ll be able to give you a better answer at the end of the process,” Bray said.

Magee once again has been assigned to administrative duties in light of the charges.

— With files by 980 CJME’s Andrew Shepherd