Law enforcement: What does it mean

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Ex-wife stands behind police officer arrested for assault, robbery


By Gerry Bellett, Vancouver Sun

METRO VANCOUVER - The ex-wife of one of the three police officers arrested by Vancouver police following a fight with a newspaper delivery driver says her former husband has told her not to believe media accounts of what is alleged to have happened.

“I know all these guys. They are not the way they are being portrayed in the media right now,” said Sheri Klassen, who lives in Kelowna.

Const. Jeffrey Klassen was suspended with pay by New Westminster Police Chief Lorne Zapotichny on Thursday after he and two police officer friends — one employed in Delta, the other in West Vancouver — were arrested on suspicion of assault and robbery during an incident early Wednesday outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Zapotichny announced the suspension of the 38-year-old constable, who has been on the force for four years.

“The suspension arises from a Vancouver police department criminal investigation into allegations of assault and robbery during the member’s off-duty activities,” said a news release issued by Zapotichny.

Zapotichny said the suspension would be reviewed within 30 days by the New Westminster police board.

But Sheri said she was upset with the way the three police officers were being described.

She said they were all close friends who graduated together from the Justice Institute of B.C.

They were together Tuesday night having a reunion in the downtown entertainment district, she said.

“As far as I know they were walking back to their cars after the clubs closed when they met this person on the street. I know these guys, when they drink they’re not obnoxious and they’re not bullies. I have no idea what the confrontation was about but my ex-husband is trained in the use of force to a higher degree than most other police officers and if anyone was to get irate he’d step in and calm them down,” she said.

Sheri said she had received a couple of e-mails from her former husband apologizing for what happened. She had been expecting him to visit her and their children that night.

The couple have been divorced for less than a month, she said.

“I got an e-mail from him last night [Wednesday] saying: “I’m okay, everything will be all right no matter how bad it sounds, I promise. My phone’s been seized.”

She received another e-mail Thursday saying: “I wish I could tell you what happened. It’s not like it’s been reported in the media.”

“I know robbery didn’t happen,” Sheri said. “I’m not saying this because I’m his ex-wife. I know these police officers and they are good guys.”

Meanwhile the alleged victim, a 47-year-old Surrey man who is a driver with Dolphin Delivery, is off work recovering from his injuries.

Dolphin manager Dave Breen said the driver has been told by police not to speak with the media.

“All I can say is he’s been to the doctor. He’s banged up pretty badly and I think he’ll be off work for a little while,” said Breen.

The driver has worked for the company for 12 years delivering early morning newspapers to the downtown area.

The Hyatt was one of his stops and the confrontation with the three off-duty police officers occurred as he was making his way into the hotel, said Breen.

Breen wouldn’t say what he believes happened to the driver but acknowledged media reports that a city works crew intervened in the fight. “As well as staff from the hotel,” he said.

Vancouver police official Jana McGuinness refused to confirm any of the media accounts of the driver having his wallet and cellphone stolen by the trio.

“We will not be releasing any of the background information relating to the incident which is still under investigation,” she said.

The officers were released without being charged later Wednesday after being arrested by Vancouver police who answered a 911 call, she said.

All three forces have launched Police Act investigations into the conduct of their arrested officers and have taken the matter to the Police Complaints Commissioner’s office.

Delta police official Sharlene Brooks said Thursday that Police Chief Jim Cessford was still considering his options about what to do with the arrested 28-year-old officer who has been on the force for three years.

She said New Westminster Police might have received more information on the alleged offences than Delta has been given, leading them to suspend their officer.

“At this point Chief Cessford has options available but he’s waiting for more information before acting,” she said.

West Vancouver police have reassigned their officer who was arrested to desk duties, said department spokesman Cpl. Fred Harding. The officer had only been with the department for 18 months.

“The reassignment comes after careful consideration and takes effect immediately,” said Harding.

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