Two London police officers who were charged with assault after a probe by the Special Investigations Unit have had those charges dropped.
Constable Theresa Clayton and Constable Jeff Lake were charged in May after an investigation that began in June of 2016. The officers were called to a plaza in the area of Wharncliffe Rd. and Baseline Rd. on Thursday, June 16, 2016. When they arrived, there was an interaction with a 40-year-old man. The SIU says the interaction continued in front of an apartment building on Highland Ave.
The man was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.
Clayton was charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm, while Lake was charged with one count of assault.
Rick Robson, president of the London Police Association, says he's relieved the charges have been withdrawn by the Crown.
"Relieved yes, but at the same time, frustrated again with this process of the SIU, first of all, taking this long," Robson tells Blackburn News. "The incident dates back to June of last year and we're into May of this year before charges are even laid, and July before charges are withdrawn. I think what we're seeing again is the quality of charge coming out of the SIU where, in other circumstances, charges likely would not have been laid. But when the SIU is involved, and based on their investigation, it's the decision of the director whether charges are ultimately laid or not."
Clayton and Lake had been assigned to administrative duties when the charges were laid. They will return to active duty.
