Two city police officers reprimanded

Six years after the initial complaint, the disciplinary proceedings against Edmonton Police Service members Sgt. Jessie Poonian and Const. Timothy Connell ended in a five-minute penalty hearing Thursday.

The two officers pleaded guilty to unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority and neglect of duty earlier this month in relation to the arrest of three teenagers, two aged 14 and one 15, who were playing with replica firearms in a field in south Edmonton in 2012.

The hearings’ presiding officer, former RCMP chief superintendent Fred Kamins, agreed Thursday with the submission of recommended sanctions “in its entirety ” set out by counsel for the officers.

Poonian and Connell will receive a reprimand on their records. They will also undergo special training to review the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and Edmonton police policies toward youth. The training will commence within 90 days and its completion is to be recognized with written validation from legal advisers.

“I saw my role as ensuring it was in the public interest,” Kamins said. He also recognized the “cooperative approach” of Poonian and Connell during proceedings.

According to a 2015 Edmonton Sun article, the officers responded to a call about three teenagers with what looked like guns in January 2012. The firearms were in fact replica Airsoft toys, one apparently resembling an assault rifle. The EPS tactical squad and canine unit were called to the scene and an officer reportedly pointed a gun at one teen during the incident.

Officers arrested the teens and brought them to a police station. The youths were placed in separate holding cells for 21/2 hours before being released to their parents. Two of the parents later filed complaints. No charges were laid.

According to a previous news story, the officers admitted they had acted in error by not giving the youth a reasonable opportunity to consult with their parents after their arrest, as well as placing them in cells.

Poonian and Connell were charged under the Police Act with unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority, discreditable conduct, neglect of duty and deceit. The charges of discreditable conduct and deceit were withdrawn or dismissed.