A Durham Regional Police officer has been charged with assault in connection with an incident that took place while he was on duty, during an arrest.
Police Constable Brandon Welsh-Battiste, who works out of West Division and has three years of service, is facing one count of assault, according to the Durham Regional Police Service news release.
The charge follows an investigation by the Durham Regional Police Service itself. Few details about the underlying incident have been released, including when or where the arrest in question took place.
Officer reassigned pending court proceedings
Welsh-Battiste was released on an undertaking following the charge. He has been reassigned to administrative duties until his court proceedings are complete.
Once the criminal matter concludes, a separate investigation under the Community Safety and Policing Act will begin, the news release states. That provincial law governs police conduct and discipline in Ontario.
DRPS noted that the facts in its release come from a police investigation and that the allegations have not yet been proven in court.
Investigators asking for information
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the DRPS Professional Standards Unit at 905-579-1520, extension 5131.
Tips can also be sent anonymously to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The Durham Regional Police Service polices Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and other municipalities across Durham Region. The force's headquarters is located at 605 Rossland Rd. E. in Whitby.
