RCMP officer charged after tense exchange, rough arrest outside Kamloops City Hall caught on video

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops RCMP officer is facing charges of assault and mischief after a rough arrest outside of Kamloops City Hall a year ago that was captured on video.

The B.C. Prosecution Service says the charges against Cst. David Tucker were sworn Wednesday (July 24). His first court appearance on the matter is set for August 26 in Kamloops Provincial Court.

On July 31, 2023, Tucker responded to a disturbance between a man and a woman in front of City Hall on Victoria Street.

WATCH: (Video Credit: Facebook / Twister Love. WARNING: Strong language.)

According to witness Tabitha Sabyan, who recorded video of the interaction, Tucker grabbed her phone and tried to break it before throwing it away.

Once Sabyran resumed recording, video shows Tucker drawing both his taser and his sidearm at a barking dog being held on a leash.

Once the dog is passed to another person, Tucker can be seen wrestling a woman to the ground in order to place her under arrest.

In announcing charges Wednesday (July 24), Crown spokesperson Damienne Darby said the charges were approved by an experienced Crown counsel with no prior or current connection with Tucker.

Darby told CFJC Today the matter was not investigated by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., whose mandate is to investigate instances of death or serious harm in which B.C. police officers may have been involved.

Meantime, BC RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says Tucker’s status is fully operational, though it is subject to continuous review and assessment. Clark notes a Code of Conduct investigation into Tucker’s actions remains ongoing.