Two Hamilton police officers are facing assault charges

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Published June 16, 2022 at 4:51 pm

A pair of constables who are part of Hamilton Police Service have been charged with assault, stemming from separate incidents.

Each officer faces one count of Assault Level One, a media release from HPS says. The police service says it “will not comment further as these matters are now before the courts.” Both officers were already under suspension.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

One assault charge is the result of a criminal investigation that was opened after HPS obtained video from a business and a citizen on May 26. The video showed an interaction between police and a suspect who was being arrested in a stolen vehicle investigation.

“The level of force used by one officer during the interaction resulted in a separate criminal investigation,” HPS says. “The officer was immediately suspended.”

As a result of the investigation, Const. Brian Wren was charged with Assault Level One. His first court appearance date is scheduled for July 21.

On March 8, a video showing an interaction between a citizen and an officer was brought to the attention of HPS. That day, officers had responded to “a mischief/domestic call” at a private residence.

“The video was concerning and the Service commenced a criminal investigation into the officer’s conduct,” HPS stated.

As a result of the investigation, Const. Michael Kowalchuk has been charged with Assault Level One. His first court appearance date is scheduled for July 12.

Both of the accused officers are on the Ontario Sunshine List, which discloses which public employees are paid at least $100,000. Wren earned a salary of $131,107.87. Kowalchuk earned $107,883.43.

The threshold to be on the list has not changed since it was created in 1996. One hundred thousand dollars in 1996 was the equivalent to about $158,000 in 2021.

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