Charges against RNC officer referred to adult diversion program

Corner Brook — A Corner Brook RNC officer charged with assaulting another officer will have his matters dealt with through the adult diversion program.

Daniel Abbass, 37, is also charged with causing a disturbance. The offences are alleged to have occurred Aug. 2.

Abbass wasn’t present when his matter was called in provincial court in Corner Brook Nov. 26.

During that appearance, court was informed the charges would be dealt with by way of the adult diversion program.

The program, piloted by the Department of Justice in Corner Brook and Stephenville, offers offenders an alternative to the traditional court process. Alternative measures could include counselling, a letter of apology, community service or even a charitable donation.

In an email to The Western Star, Jennifer Standen, senior Crown attorney – Eastern, said Section 717(1) of the Criminal Code provides that alternative measures may be used to deal with people alleged to have committed a crime if certain conditions are met.

Those conditions include that the alleged offender consents to participating in the program and accepts responsibility for the offence.

Before a referral can be made, a Crown attorney must be mindful the use of alternative measures not be inconsistent with the protection of society. The Crown must assess whether it is an appropriate and effective way to address crime, if it allows for effective and timely interventions focused on correcting offending behaviour and if it would be adequate to hold the person accountable.

Standen said, in this case, she is satisfied the conditions of the Criminal Code were met and that alternative measures were consistent with the protection of society.

Abbass will be back in court Jan. 28 for an update on the status of his participation in the program.