The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced today that charges of assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm have been approved against Abbotsford Police Cst. Shaun Nagel in connection with the arrest of a suspect on February 26, 2020, in West Vancouver.
On April 4, around 3:40 am, a police service dog was used to track a man as part of an ongoing investigation in West Vancouver.
The man was located in the 6100-block of Marine Drive and sustained a serious dog bite injury, and was transported to hospital for treatment. Cst. Nagel was charged with one count of assault with a weapon and one count of assault causing bodily harm. Both charges were sworn on June 23 in North Vancouver Provincial Court.
“Upon completion of the investigation, chief civilian director Ronald J. MacDonald, reviewed the evidence and determined there are reasonable grounds to believe that an officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a police service dog during the arrest,” noted a report by the provincial police watchdog.
Cst Nagel is scheduled to appear in North Vancouver Provincial Court on August 3. The charges were approved by an experienced Crown Counsel with no prior or current connection with the officer.
