Man sues city and police dept. over injuries suffered at pub

An Abbotsford man has filed a civil suit against the City of Abbotsford and the police department alleging excessive force was used last March when he was removed from a local pub by police.

Shaun Haswell, in a civil suit filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Tuesday, claimed he was assaulted by police without warning or provocation when he was out for a night at Character’s Pub in Abbotsford.

In the document filed, Haswell alleges he was attacked from behind, and had his body and head smashed against a table.

“The plaintiff was in Character’s Pub, in the City of Abbotsford when he was suddenly and without warning assaulted by the defendants (John Doe), who attacked him from behind, thrashed his head and body against a table and escorted him out of the pub smashing his body into the pub door causing the plaintiff to lose consciousness.”

Haswell claims he was falsely arrested and taken to the police cell in Abbotsford where he was left unconscious.

“Upon regaining consciousness, the plaintiff requesting medical attention but was ignored,” the claims states.

According to the suit, Haswell had injuries to his left knee, lower back, head, bruises and contusions.

“The injuries, loss and damage have caused and continue to cause the plaintiff pain suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent physical disability and loss of earnings past and perspective,” the suit claims.

None of the allegations has been proven in court. There is no specific amount set for the damages.

Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said on the night in question, officers where in Character’s Pub dealing with some gang members. He said the Office of Police Complaints Commission (OPCC) is investigating the allegations.

“There was an intoxicated male that needed to be removed,” he said of the evening incident.

“There is an ongoing internal investigation looking into his allegation.”