Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Nov 21/05) - An RCMP constable in Fort Smith received a nine-month conditional sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting a prisoner.

It was a disappointing result for the grandmother of Russell Sikyea, the 21-year-old man Const. Scott Patterson admitted to assaulting.

RCMP Const. Scott Patterson received a nine-month conditional sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting a prisoner in a Fort Smith jail cell.

Patterson, 42, was sentenced by Judge Bernadette Schmaltz on Nov. 15 in the Fort Smith courthouse. On Oct. 20, Patterson pleaded guilty to common assault of Russell Sikyea.

Throughout the sentencing hearing, Patterson's actions were characterized as a momentary lapse of judgment.

"This was a 30 second mistake," said Judge Schmaltz.

Maggie Sikyea, Russell's grandmother, said Patterson should have received a harsher sentence.

"I don't really think that's enough," she said.

Sikyea is currently serving five years in prison for sexual assault. Patterson was the lead investigator in his case. News/North was unable to contact Russell Sikyea for comment.

Patterson spoke briefly to the court.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to Mr. Sikyea, the RCMP and my family," Patterson said. "It's the first time I've let my emotions get the better of me."

The court heard how on Feb. 4, Sikyea was causing disruptions in his cell in the Fort Smith RCMP detachment.

"He was covering up the camera and plugging the toilet," said Michael W. Cozens, a visiting Crown attorney from Whitehorse. Cozens said Patterson talked to Sikyea twice before he entered the jail cell.

A black and white recording from the video camera in the cell was played for the court. It showed Patterson talking to Sikyea while he sat on the cell bench. Patterson had almost left the cell when he returned and grabbed Sikyea's head, restraining him on the bench for about 30 seconds.

"In attempting to deal with a difficult prisoner, he dealt with it wrongly," said Cozens.

Patterson spent his entire professional life devoted to public service, said defense lawyer Robb Beeman.

He noted that Patterson did two peacekeeping missions in Croatia as an infantryman and was awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal and the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation insignia in 2004.

Judge Schmaltz said that the charge was taken seriously because Patterson was in a position of trust and authority.

"The community places a great deal of trust in the RCMP and especially in the North where the RCMP is our police force," she said.

The sentence has a number of conditions. Patterson has to report to a parole officer in Fort Smith and take any training or counselling recommended.

He also has to complete 150 hours of community service work by June 30, 2006, and prepare a paper for the RCMP on how officers should deal with challenging prisoners. If Patterson completes his sentence, he will not have a criminal record.

Patterson still faces a code of conduct hearing with the RCMP.