A still from the video taken of a violent arrest on May 30, 2020, in downtown Kelowna. (File)

Trial dates set for Kelowna Mountie charged in rough, caught-on-camera arrest

Despite two assault charges against him, Const. Siggy Pietrzak remains suspended with pay

  • Jun. 29, 2021 12:00 a.m.

A Kelowna RCMP officer will stand trial for one of two assault charges against him in May 2022.

Const. Siggy Pietrzak was charged with assault in April 2021, in relation to his arrest of a suspected impaired driver on May 30, 2020.

Two people caught the alleged offence on camera. Footage shows Pietrzak arrive at a scene where two other officers are attempting to apprehend a suspect, rush towards the man and punch him several times.

The alleged victim, Tyler Russell, filed a lawsuit against Pietrzak. The Attorney General of Canada, also named in that lawsuit, denied Pietrzak used excessive force.

The RCMP maintains the suspect was uncooperative with police and was arrested for allegedly obstructing a police officer.

READ MORE: Attorney General defends Kelowna Mountie involved in rough arrest

READ MORE: Kelowna Mountie who punched suspect identified, condemned by sister

In June, Pietrzak was charged with assault in relation to a separate offence alleged to have happened between May 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017, in West Kelowna. The B.C. Prosecution Service marked the file as an intimate partner violence case.

Pietrzak remains suspended with pay as the RCMP’s code of conduct investigation continues.

His trial is scheduled to begin on May 24, 2022, nearly two years after the alleged offence.

READ MORE: Kelowna Mountie charged with assault for caught-on-camera violent arrest

READ MORE: Kelowna Mountie charged with assault, again

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com


@michaelrdrguezLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Kelowna Capital News