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October 24, 2021 - 7:02 AM
After an investigation into a violent incident involving a Kamloops security guard, the guard is back on the job.
Rick Eldridge formerly worked for Lapper Security until the fallout from a video that showed him kicking a man downtown resulted in a suspension of his licence.
The video was published by CFJC Today in March 2021. It captured an incident where Eldridge was spat on and pushed.
Eldridge asserts that he was defending himself and identified the other man as Tristan Fernandez, who was recently charged in relation to a robbery at Lordco on Aug. 3.
"It feels really good to be working again. I don't like sitting around. I spent seven months sitting around and I just don't like it," Eldridge said.
Eldridge patrolled Victoria Street West for Lapper Security as part of its contracts with the City of Kamloops and B.C. Housing.
He would not say what company he is working for now, but he's no longer employed by Lapper Security and no longer patrols in areas where street-entrenched people frequent.
"Right now, I'm stationed at a nice quiet place," he said.
His licence was suspended by the provincial regulator for security services while they conducted their investigation, and Eldridge said it tarnished his reputation as a security guard. He also received death threats since the video circulated.
"It broke me," he said, adding he's now taking medication for depression since the fallout of the video.
Ed Lappiere of Lapper Security is glad the investigation has concluded after the attention his company received following the incident.
"The fact is he did something that was outside the scope of his duties," Lappiere said, adding that he believed the video and the incident was "blown out of proportion."
Eldridge will now have to retake an exam required by the provincial government to obtain a security guard licence when he renews in November. Otherwise, he can continue his job in Kamloops.
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