B.C. RCMP excessive force probe begins

Officers from the Abbotsford Police Department arrive in Kelowna Tuesday to begin an investigation into an alleged incident of excessive force by an RCMP officer.

Const. Geoff Mantler has been suspended with pay after he was accused of using excessive force during the arrest of a Kelowna man on Friday.

A criminal investigation of Mantler's actions and an internal RCMP code of conduct inquiry are both underway.

Kelowna RCMP superintendent Bill McKinnon said it could take up to a month to determine whether Mantler will face any further disciplinary action.

"Everybody's talking about it," McKinnon said.

"I don't care what rank, I don't think it matters what police forceevery police officer in the country has been affected by what's in this video."

Abbott calls for civilian RCMP oversight

McKinnon's comments come amidst growing public outrage in Kelowna over the incident, which was caught on tape.

Police were responding to a report of shots fired near the Harvest Golf Club. Officers later apprehended the suspected shooter, Buddy Tavares, on a Kelowna street.

A freelance reporter who observed the arrest began video-recording events as police converged on Tavares with their guns drawn.

Tavares, 51, is seen getting out of his truck and, on police orders, falling to his hands and knees. Next, the RCMP officer kicked Tavares in the face.

Moments later, the video shows the handcuffed Tavares lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

B.C. Liberal leadership candidate George Abbott said the incident shows it is time for the province to look seriously at civilian oversight for the RCMP."This is, I think, fortuitous in some way," he said.

"We've got an RCMP contract that is currently being negotiated. In my view, we should ensure that we have, within that contract, all the pieces in place for independent civilian oversight."

Abbott said another layer of oversight is needed in cases like this.

"It's important that the public has a great sense of confidence in the police that serve their communities, so consistent with the Frank Paul inquiry, the Braidwood inquiry, I think we need to find some ways that we enhance the oversight."

Meanwhile, Tavares has been charged with careless use of a firearm. Police said the charge is connected with a domestic violence situation.