Senior Victoria Police Sergeant suspended

VICTORIA - Victoria Police have suspended a senior officer following an incident in police cells.
Police say the 28-year veteran came forward to disclose the incident involving a prisoner which was captured on surveillance video. Criminal and Police Act investigations are underway.

The department, by policy, will not name the officer. But /A\ News has learned the officer is Sgt. George Chong, the brother of provincial cabinet minister Ida Chong.

"I have to say that it is a very difficult time for him and his family" Minister Chong tells /A\ News, "Of course as a family member he would have my support. But it is very troubling for all concerned. I can only ask that the matter be investigated and resolved as quickly as possible for everyone involved".

Victori''s Police Chief says he has sufficient evidence to warrant the decision on suspension.

Jamie Graham says the sergeant in charge of the department's jail disclosed an incident involving a prisoner moments after it occurred on January 15.

"During the booking in process an incident occurred and the prisoner received injuries that required hospital treatment", Graham stated at a news conference Monday afternoon. "Preliminary inquiries have lead to an allegation of assault against one of our officers and a violation of our policy regarding use of excessive force and the manner and speed to which prisoners receive medical attention. The delay is very short in terms of half to three quarters of an hour and the injuries are facial injuries."

Sgt. Chong is on paid suspension as a criminal and Police Act investigation is underway.

It is not the first time the veteran of the force has been investigated. He pleaded guilty to an off-duty assault last year.

VicPD issued him a written reprimand after a provincial court judge handed Chong a conditional discharge and nine months probation.

This is the latest allegation of excessive force in Victoria cells captured on surveillance video.

15 year old Willow Kinloch was tethered for four hours in May 2005. A Police Complaint Commission public hearing will begin into that incident in April.

A year earlier, 24 year old Tom Mckay received a brain injury when he was taken to the ground during booking.

Those two incidents prompted the department to change the way its cells are operated.

Chief Jamie Graham announced last year he was putting a full time sergeant in the cells to oversee staff, but the chief isn't saying whether that move was successful.

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner acknowledges there has been in increase in allegations of excessive use by police across the province.

"Certainly they are coming to our attention more and more" says Deputy Commissioner Bruce Brown. "There's more of them that are on video that certainly show incidents are occurring. Whether that's an increase in stats or the ability to capture them on video remains to be seen".

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