(BRENDAN KERGIN/FILE PHOTO / iNFOnews.ca)
August 09, 2023 - 7:30 AM
A Kamloops man filed a civil claim against a local Mountie after he was briefly detained without explanation.
Randall Buffie claims the RCMP constable was investigated internally and should not have detained him, but seeks damages for emotional and psychological harm.
On June 14, 2022, Buffie says he was driving in the right lane on 8 Street, while Const. Brennen Isles was behind in an unmarked cruiser, travelling around 45 km/h, according to court documents.
Buffie began to slow down, turned on his left turn signal and moved to the left lane. He turned back to his lane when he realized Isles was already in the left lane and sped up to 58 km/h.
He "began to shake his head" as he noticed Isles behind him and turned back. The constable stopped and "verbally confronted" Buffie about why he was shaking his head, then directed Buffie to take the lane in front "by gesture."
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He didn't realize Isles was in a police uniform until he followed Buffie to the nearby Canadian Tire parking lot, according to his claim.
Isles parked directly behind him and told him to "get over here," but Buffie didn't comply. That's when Isles put handcuffs on Buffie, he said.
He told the constable to "take it easy," because he has a disability from a stroke, according to Buffie's claim.
"You walk okay for a disabled person," the officer replied, according to court documents.
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Buffie was held in the back of the cruiser for eight minutes, unaware of the reason for his arrest and uninformed of a right to legal counsel. No file was ever created for an investigation, according to the claim.
Two days after the incident, Isles was investigated internally, he claims. Buffie said Isles refused to provide a statement or documentation to the officer investigating him.
Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley reviewed the investigation and concluded Isles wasn't justified in detaining Buffie, nor was Isles justified in his use of force to do so, he claims.
Pelley came to that conclusion on Jan. 30 and subsequently met with Isles to give guidance on his performance and his use of force, Buffie's claim reads.
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Buffie later sought an apology from Isles, but says he did not receive one.
Kamloops RCMP, Pelley and Isles have not responded to a request for comment from iNFOnews.ca.
Buffie filed the claim in BC Supreme Court on Aug. 1, where he's seeking damages for emotional, physical and psychological harm for the arrest, which he says breached his Charter rights.
None of his claims have been proven in court. Isles and co-defendant, the Minister for Public Safety, have responded in court.
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