Peel cop charged with assault after arrest in Mississauga
Published April 25, 2022 at 12:53 pm
The province’s police watchdog says a Peel police officer has been charged with assault after the arrest of a man in Mississauga last summer.
According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Peel Regional Police officers stopped the driver of a vehicle who was being sought by police on Aug. 22, 2021.
The 22-year-old man took off on foot and led officers on a chase but the suspect was later apprehended by officers.
The SIU said on Monday there’s grounds to believe Peel Regional Police Sgt. John Rocha committed a criminal offence during the arrest, and Rocha has been charged with one count of assault.
Rocha is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on May 27.
Back in 2018, Rocha was allegedly punched by fellow PRP officer Const. Stephen Dudzinski.
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The incident reportedly occurred after Rocha questioned Dudzinski’s fitness for duty. Dudzinski was suspended from duty with pay and an investigation into the incident was initiated by the service’s Professional Standards Bureau.
The SIU is the independent civilian government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers which may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and the discharge of a firearm at a person.
Because the assault matter is before the courts, the SIU said it will not provide further details on the alleged assault or the investigation.
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