B.C. RCMP officer charged with assault after 2020 incident

A Mountie with the Williams Lake RCMP is facing assault charges in connection with an incident that happened in 2020, according to the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS).

The service says it’s in relation to a suspected “motor vehicle incident” in Williams Lake on May 31 of that year.

Although prosecutors didn’t elaborate further, the BCPS says Const. Madeline Hjelden is facing charges including assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

In a news release from The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC that was released in June of 2020, it explains Mounties were called on May 31 for reports of a “man believed to be in significant emotional distress and intoxication.”

When he was found by officers, the IIO says he reportedly tried to ride away on a motorbike after refusing to engage with police.

“Police followed and there was an interaction between the police vehicle and the motorbike near Desous Road, at which point the man was taken into custody,” the release reads.

He was then given first aid, although it’s unclear how he was hurt.

Emergency health personnel came and took him to the hospital where he “was found to be suffering from serious but non-life-threatening injury.”

At the time, the IIO didn’t elaborate further.

A court date related to the charges has yet to be set, the BCPS adds.