A Barrie police officer who was involved in a violent downtown arrest in February 2021 has pleaded guilty and resigned from the city's police force.
Jason Stamp appeared in Barrie court today (Jan. 30) to plead guilty to assault in connection to an incident near Dunlop and Owen streets, not far from the city's cenotaph.
On Feb. 4, 2021, Barrie police were made aware of a violent arrest involving the veteran officer, which was captured on video and posted to social media.
At one point in one of the videos obtained by BarrieToday, the officer can be seen flipping Kent over and striking him on the back of the head.
Another video shows the officer on top of Kent with a taser to his neck. The officer can then be heard asking, “Do you want this?” followed by “Put your hands behind your back right now or I’m lighting you up.”
Concerned with the officer's conduct, then-police chief Kimberley Greenwood requested an independent investigation from the Ontario Provincial Police.
On April 29, 2021, the OPP charged Const. Stamp with assault and assault with a weapon.
Barrie police say Stamp resigned from the local force on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. He had been suspended with pay following the incident. Stamp had been with Barrie police for 18 years at the time of the incident.
“Our officers are held to the highest standards of professionalism and conduct in carrying out their duties,” Police Chief Rich Johnston said in a release issued shortly before noon on Monday. “We share the community’s concern when any police officer is involved in a situation that negatively impacts the public trust and thank everyone for their patience as this case made its way through the justice system."
Stamp is expected to be back in court this afternoon for sentencing.
