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New details presented for Hamilton police officer charged with assault in 2020
Constable Ryan Cole attended an in-person hearing at Hamilton Police Services Central Station on Friday. Cole will be docked 15 days of paid work following his guilty verdict of assault during a mental health check in 2020 after new details were presented.
In an agreed statement of facts between the prosecutor and defence counsel, Cst. Cole and crisis worker Cynthia Bosett were called to a physician’s office for assistance regarding a psychotic episode from a male patient. Initially, the patient resisted officers, and police backup was called.
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The statement continued that it took reasonable force to secure and transport the patient to hospital, but upon hospital arrival, there was a struggle to remove the [man] from the vehicle.
The agreed statement also said, “P.C. Cole grabbed [patient]’s inner thigh on multiple occasions and his genitals once… with an intention to cause [patient] discomfort…” And, “Bosett observed [patient] placed his hands over his groin… patient stated: ‘This is sexual assault!'”
When Cole and Bosett left the hospital, Bosett heard Cole admit to grabbing the man’s genitals and he added, “work smarter, not harder.” And at a later date, Cole said, “it was the only place left to grab.”
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The facts add Bosett was shocked by the incident and the patient complained to police prompting an SIU investigation. When interviewed by the SIU Cole denied he grabbed the patient by the genitals.
The Watchdog initially charged him with sexual assault but then changed it to assault, where he was found guilty last year. Cole was also charged with discreditable conduct as well.
On Friday, during the hearing Cst. Cole provided a statement reiterating his “heartfelt apology” and that he “failed everyone involved.” He adds he looks forward to moving on and being an officer again.
