Kingston Police officer appears in court on two charges of assault

It is not uncommon to see members of the Kingston Police Force at the Ontario Court of Justice on Wellington Street in downtown Kingston. But those officers aren’t often the ones standing accused.

However, that was the case on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, when Bradley Barkley attended the court of His Worship Ian Seymour Justice of the Peace for a second appearance. Barkley, an officer with Kingston Police, is facing two charges of assault.

Barkley has been with Kingston Police for less than a year, having been appointed as an officer for the Force on June 16 (and effective as of June 27), 2022. According to the minutes of the Kingston Police Services Board meeting on June 16, Barkley is originally from Mallorytown, and previously served with the Halton Police.

“Bradley volunteered as a fire fighter with the Front of Yonge Fire Department and as a volleyball coach at Thousand Island Secondary School,” then-Deputy Chief of Police Scott Fraser shared in a brief bio of the new officer, noting Barkley served as a high school volleyball coach from 2017 to 2019, and that he had volunteered with Brockville Police Halloween Patrol in 2016 and 2017.

“Shortly after finishing high school, he obtained a Police Foundation Diploma from St. Lawrence College (Brockville) and was placed on the Dean’s List for academic achievement,” Fraser said at the time.

“We are excited to welcome Bradley to the Kingston Police.”

Kingstonist has reached out to Kingston Police on two occasions for confirmation of the charges against Barkley, as well as information regarding his current employment status with the Force. In response, police divulged today, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, that Barkley is currently suspended with pay from the Kingston Police Force. Police would or could not confirm the charges against Barkley, nor the nature of the offences the charges stem from.

At the May 17 court appearance, Barkley’s case was adjourned with a future court date later this month.

Kingstonist will provide further coverage of this matter as more information becomes available.

With files from Michelle Dorey Forestell.