Constable Goran Beric of the Ottawa Police Service, currently under suspension, tendered an apology in a courtroom for his conduct during an altercation on Aug. 4, 2021, at an Ottawa Community Housing complex.
The case, presided over by Ontario Court Justice Janet O’Brien, is drawing to a close, with a sentencing decision expected later in the month.
The hearing, which took place virtually from the office of Mr. Beric’s defense lawyer Karin Stein, also included arguments from crown prosecutor Vlatko Karadzic.
Mr. Karadzic proposed a conditional sentence involving house arrest and probation, highlighting the gravity of the charges.
Mr. Beric, who has been off duty since his October conviction for assault, expressed profound remorse for the incident, which has adversely affected both his career and personal life. He acknowledged his disappointment in himself and his handling of the situation.
“I will forever be disappointed in myself and wish I handled the matter better,” Mr. Beric said from his lawyer’s office in a virtual hearing Monday, reported The National Post.
“I think about it still every day. I wish that I could have handled it differently, done better … in every aspect, physically, verbally. And I have learned from this situation. I don’t take it lightly.”
The incident in question, captured on surveillance footage, showed Mr. Beric using his baton on Derrick Weyman, who was undergoing a psychotic episode. The video depicted Mr. Beric striking and stepping on Mr. Weyman’s neck, actions that sparked public debate and criticism.
Mr. Weyman, through his lawyer, described feeling dehumanized by Mr. Beric’s treatment, noting the lasting physical and psychological impact.
“As an officer, he should help me, but he made me feel less than human by the way he treated me that night,” Mr. Weyman wrote.
“I have a hard time remembering that night … I woke up in the hospital with a head injury and still get headaches.”
Ms. Stein argued in Mr. Beric’s defence that his actions, while regrettable, were not the cause of Mr. Weyman’s injuries and were not driven by malice. She pointed to Mr. Beric’s clean record and commendations as evidence of his character and his history of effective, compassionate policing.
Ms. Stein said Mr. Beric is “a compassionate and respectful officer who is known more for his de-escalation and his appropriate dealings with individuals … lauded by the public and his fellow officers in how he has handled difficult situations.”
Conversely, Mr. Karadzic emphasized the severity of Mr. Beric’s actions, noting that they contravened police training and breached the trust placed in law enforcement officers.
“He used the baton in a manner completely contrary to the training provided to police officers,” Mr. Karadzic argued.
Both Ms. Stein and Mr. Karadzic recognized the potential impact of the sentencing on Mr. Beric’s career in law enforcement.
Ms. Stein pointed out that while the judge’s decision is crucial, the ultimate impact on Mr. Beric’s career will be determined by the police service, independent of the court’s ruling.
She noted that a conviction could result in Mr. Beric’s dismissal, especially if he is sentenced to jail.
Mr. Karadzic highlighted that a criminal conviction would typically prevent Mr. Beric from continuing in law enforcement roles, as dictated by the Police Services Act. However, he added that the outcome could be different in the case of a suspended sentence or conditional discharge, with the Police Services Board having the final say in such circumstances, as a consequence of this legal process.
