Disciplinary action against two police veterans stems from handling of 2008 incident

Oak Bay police aren’t releasing details of an incident that led to the suspension without pay of two senior officers following an internal investigation.

The department enlisted Central Saanich police to scrutinize the actions of two Oak Bay members following an attempted break-in last December.

A 30-year veteran officer was suspended for three days for neglect of duty and deceit, and an officer with 20 years’ service received a two-day suspension for neglect of duty. Both served their suspensions in August and have returned to duty, said department spokesperson Const. Laurence Riel.

The department did not release the officers’ names nor the details of the investigation, such as what actions led to the suspensions. That information may never become public.

“We’ll keep those all internal. We’ve found some issues, found some problems and we’ve made all the necessary changes (to department policies),” Riel said.

The incident happened Dec. 14, 2008. At 6 a.m., police arrested Windstand Paul Nurmi, who appeared to be attempting to break into an Oak Bay home. In the back of the patrol car, Nurmi allegedly injured himself by striking the divider. His behaviour prompted the officers to take Nurmi to Royal Jubilee Hospital, where he was sedated and treated.

There were “conflicting reports” about what happened in the following couple of hours, Riel said, which is what led to the investigation. One officer stayed at the hospital to ensure Nurmi was cared for and at 10 a.m. he was released from hospital. Nurmi allegedly went straight to the home of a former common-law spouse in Cadboro Bay and set it ablaze.

He was later charged with recklessly causing damage by fire or explosion to property, assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, attempt of forcible entry and breach of probation.

The Oak Bay department has since updated its policies concerning prisoner custody and transport, Mental Health Act investigations, criminal investigations and intra-departmental communications.

ecardone@vicnews.com