Sudbury Police Constable Chris Labreche charged with assault

A Sudburycourt has issued the paperwork chargingSudburyPolice Constable ChristopherLabreche with assault.

Labreche is chargedin connection with an incident last spring involving Tanner Currie of Sudbury, whoalleges the officer used excessive force against him.

Tanner Currie, who was 20 at the time, had been arrested forpublic intoxication and resisting arrest. Those charges were later dropped.Curriewas brought intoSudburyPolice headquarters and thrown by Labreche, face first, into a police cell window, smashing the glass. The incident was caught on two police video tapes.

Video footage capturing the incident was released to the public last month.

At that time, Sudbury Police officials said the servicehad already conducted an internal investigation and cleared Labreche of any wrongdoing.

The matter was reviewed by a justice of the peace Mondayat the Sudbury courthouse in a hearing that was closed to the public.

Currietold CBC Newshe's relieved to know Sudbury Constable Christable Labreche is being charged.

"It's just been a lot on my shoulders for a while," he said. "And finally they've decided to go through with this."

Currie's mother, Tina, saidshe had her doubts about today's hearing, particularly after the police service cleared Labreche of any wrongdoing.

"I had kind of lost faith in the system," she said. "And it's been restored, totally."

Currie's lawyer,Trent Falldien, saidhe just wants justice.

"I'm very pleased that we did see access to justice and I think that reflects well on the credibility of our courts," he said.

Sudbury Police have no comment at this time, but did issuea written statement.

"As a police organization, we remain committed and accountable to our members and our community. We pride ourselves as being open and transparent, and will continue to co-operate with all systems of legislative oversight as the complete facts in issue are gathered for presentation at a judicial hearing."