An assault charge against a Kelowna RCMP officer has been approved by the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS).
On Sept. 4, 2025, Const. Russell Reeder was charged with one count of assault in relation to an alleged incident that occurred in Kelowna on Aug. 18, 2023, during the height of the McDougall Creek wildfire.
According to Staff Sgt. Kris Clark, Const. Reeder is currently on supported administrative leave and his duty status is subject to continuous review and assessment.
"Immediately upon learning of the circumstances, a Code of Conduct investigation was initiated and remains ongoing," stated Staff Sgt. Clark in an email.
Reeder's first appearance in court is scheduled for Sept. 18 in Kelowna provincial court.
Reeder has been the subject of a civil suit in the past, when a quadriplegic man named Steven Margetts alleged he was assaulted and that Reeder used a conducted energy weapon on him back in Aug. 2022. The man claimed he suffered multiple broken bones and injuries as a result.
According to the suit, Const. Reeder denied Margetts access to the wheelchair lift in his vehicle.
Margetts was charged in relation to the incident with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, dangerous operation of a conveyance, wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer and assault of a peace officer. He is set to appear in court in October.
Earlier this year, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC closed its investigation into the Aug. 2022 incident and concluded Margetts' injuries didn't meet the standard of serious harm as defined under Part 11 of the Police Act.
