MEDICINE HAT, AB — More information about an excessive force complaint against a Medicine Hat police officer were presented during day two of a police act hearing.
Ron Eresman was pulled over on August 24, 2015 for not wearing his seat belt.
Eresman runs his own delivery service business.
He was out making deliveries that afternoon when he was stopped by Cst. Darren Holeha.
Eresman said he was driving slower than the speed limit, looking out the window of his delivery truck when he saw the police cruiser, with the lights flashing, pull up behind him.
He told the hearing he pulled into a business parking lot, hopped out of his truck, and told Holeha he needed to deliver a parcel and would be back.
He said “I came out and he asked me for my driver’s licence and I asked what for,” explaining he didn’t think he had done anything wrong.
Holeha said he wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Eresman got back into his truck and was asked a second time for his license.
He claims Holeha grabbed onto his shirt, told him he was being charged with obstruction and tried to force him out of the vehicle.
Eresman’s glasses fell from his face and he testified that he said “I need my glasses and [Holeha] said I’ve had enough of your bullshit,” before stepping on them.
Eresman provided numerous photos to the service when he lodged the complaint against Holeha, which show the marks, cuts and scrapes he claims he suffered during the altercation of Holeha pulling him out of his truck.
During cross examination, Eresman agreed he approached officer Holeha in a different tone, before even being asked for his driver’s license.
When read the quote… “I remember you. You’re the c— sucker that always gives me tickets,” Eresman took a moment before saying he “might have” said that.
The hearing is expected to wrap up tomorrow with Holeha giving his testimony.
