A Victoria police officer facing dismissal after admitting to various forms of misconduct, including neglect, deceit and abuse of authority, has been granted an independent review of the proposed disciplinary measures. Const. Denis Belkin was found to have committed five counts of misconduct in December 2023 after he reportedly knocked a man off his bike and repeatedly punched and kicked him, according to a statement Monday from the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner of B.C. A witness provided investigators with cellphone video of the incident, which the OPCC said showed the officer delivering multiple punches and knee strikes in the altercation. A senior investigating officer examined the complaint, along with a similar use-of-force complaint involving Belkin two days later. The investigation found Belkin provided information that was contradicted by what was captured on video. The investigating officer substantiated five allegations against Belkin, including abuse of authority related to excessive use of force, deceit in his reporting of the use of force, and three allegations of neglect involving the improper handling of seized items and improper documentation of the use of force on two occasions. The disciplinary hearing proposed a range of punishments for the charges, including several days’ suspension without pay and outright dismissal from the Victoria Police Department. Police Complaint Commissioner Prabhu Rajan granted a review of the findings on Monday, appointing a retired judge to examine the proposed disciplinary measures. Belkin’s request for an independent review focused on several issues, including how the senior officer assessed his likelihood of future misconduct, how the deceit allegation was characterized, whether his acceptance of responsibility was properly considered, and whether dismissal is proportionate. Retired B.C. Appeal Court Justice Elizabeth Bennett will review the case and determine the appropriate disciplinary measures, according to the commissioner. The OPCC says it cannot comment on the case while the review is underway.
