City seeks to recoup legal fees from Officer convicted of assault
By Nelson Daily Staff
The City of Nelson has decided to try to recoup legal fees from former Constable Drew Turner.
“At the September 20th board meeting, the Nelson Police Board reached a decision to recover legal fees from former Officer Drew Turner for defense of assault charges laid against Mr. Turner in 2014,” said the City of Nelson media release Friday.
“Mr. Turner has been notified of the Board’s decision.”
Nelson Police Department Const. Turner was convicted of assault by BC Provincial Court Judge Richard Hewson in November 2015 following an incident on May 1, 2014 near the Nelson Big Orange Bridge.
During the altercation a female was being arrested for being intoxicated in a public place and breach of a previously court-ordered condition that she refrains from drinking alcohol.
The arresting officer, needing assistance, had called Nelson dispatch requesting backup.
Const. Turner, off duty at the time, happened to be in the area and quickly came to the assistance of the arresting officer.
At the trial evidence was given that while the arrest was in progress, Const. Turner punched a woman in the face while she was handcuffed in the back of a police vehicle.
Some Nelson Police officers came forward to give evidence in court against Const. Turner.
Turner was sentenced to 30-days house arrest and a one-year probation by Judge Hewson.
On January 21st, 2016 Const. Turner submitted a letter of resignation to then Office of the Chief Constable, Wayne Holland.
